This Maki-e work is done at the Hiratsuka workshop in Japan where the worlds finest quality work is done. We have made a number of pictures to convey this quality. Five hydrangea flowers composed of regular size fragments of abalone float in a dark field around the cap and barrel of this pen. Seen in the vertical picture below left, they change color depending on the angle from which they are viewed, disappearing at some angles, turning violet or blue green at others. The same size as others in the Yukari collection at 5 5/8", capped, this pen is similar to a Pelikan M800.

Please note that we are limited in the number of Hydrangea Raden pens that we will be able to offer. If you will want one, do not hesitate.

The green and gold hydrangea leaves surround an array of flower petals. They shift and shimmer on rotation.

This is how Namiki describes the processes used to make this pen: "Hydrangea design incorporates two different Maki-e techniques, Togadashi-maki-e (burnished Maki-e) and Raden (mother-of-pearl).Togadashi-maki-e is a method in which gilded patterns are dried, recoated with urushi, and finally burnished to a high sheen, using charcoal. This style of Maki-e dates to the 7th century. The Raden lacquering technique uses very thin layers of abalone shells to achieve a shimmering design. The design is then coated with urushi and burnished to a high sheen. Namiki developed the lacquers used in 1925..."

The entire Yukari line is equipped with the best converter ink system of any we know. It does not suffer the problems that Parker, Waterman and many others have.

Each pen is signed by the artist in gold. The red calligraphic mark is that of the Hiratuska works.