Ketto Aka Tame-nuri on Ranga M5 Fountain Pen
Keisuke-san's tame-nuri finish exemplifies extreme depth and profoundness. The edges are highlighted with bright undertone colors and exude a vibrancy unmatched. The immense layer build-up produces a tactile feel of the pen that is substantive and warm to the touch. Aka (meaning red in Japanese) is described here to be Ketto (bloodline).
NIB INFO
Fountain pen is fitted with a medium nib tip ShiZen #6 18K gold, two-toned nib.
PEN BODY & FILLING SYSTEM INFO
This pen was produced in partnership with Ranga Pens. Urushi lacquer is applied over a solidly constructed handmade Ranga model 5 ebonite pen body, including the threads.
Pen comes with an international pen converter but pen barrel chamber can also be filled eye dropper style (eye dropper does not come with pen).
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION
Cap Length 84 mm (3.31") Cap Diameter 17 mm (0.67") Section Diameter 12.5 mm (0.49") Barrel Length 126 mm (4.96") Barrel Diameter 17 mm (0.67") Pen Length (Closed) 177.8 mm (7") Pen Length (Posted) Do not post cap Weight 39 g (1.38 oz) Weight (w/ink) 40 g (1.41 oz) Filling System Cartridge/Converter/Eyedropper ACCESSORIES INFO
Accessories included with the pen:
Microfiber kimono pen pouch
Paulownia chest box laser engraved with ShiZen, painted for smoothness, with a hinge/latch mechanism
ABOUT THE ARTISAN
Maki-e artisan Keisuke Seki lacquered this pen. Born in 1978, he was raised in Tsu City, Mie Prefecture and grew up with a love of drawing. As a child, his mother had told him that he would make a good maki-e artisan. His mother's words inspired him into becoming a maki-e artisan later in life. After graduating high school, he entered Kyoto Traditional Crafts College in Kyoto and studied lacquer and maki-e for 2 years. He later applied and was accepted to be an apprentice under Yutaro Shimode, a graduate school professor and one of Japan's leading maki-e artisans who was known for restoring maki-e at a very prestigious shrine Ise Jingu and made lacquered products for the emperor and his wife as well as state guests. After training with Yutaro for 8 years, he became independent and took over his family business. He has lacquered various objects such as Buddhist altars, temple boxes, incense containers, sword sheaths, and tea ceremony items. He has also added to his arsenal other objects such as glasses, accessories, jewelry, and pearls. He is inspired by nature, inorganic objects, imaginary creatures, and hints of human interaction. He has won numerous awards in technical competitions sponsored by Kyoto Batsugu Cooperative Association. He has also obtained certification as a certified craftsman of kyomono and has been successful at launching a traditional craft accessories brand which has received high acclaim in various circles.