Urushi Mina Project

Updated January 10, 2012 - We are at the Seirei-Nuri technique.

The Edison Pen Company is proud to announce it's third collaborative Limited Edition with Ernest Shin, of Hakumin Urushi Kobo.

Twenty Limited Edition Minas are currently in production.

The pen will be a Mina made from ebonite, with an 18k gold nib.  The nib can be F, M, or B.  I can also customize the nib to any specification.  The filling system will be a cartridge/converter and/or eyedropper in the same pen.

With the Mina project, we are going to take a slightly different approach at revealing the lacquer technique. We have decided that it will be interesting to reveal the process one step at a time as we have been doing with the previous projects, but this time, we won't be showing you a sample of the final product ahead of time. Make sure you follow along with the process and watch carefully what's going on, imagine what the next step might be and try to guess what the technique is along the way!

Below are progress photos of this project....

12.2.11
Ebonite Substrates - These are the pens, freshly made, ready for lacquerwork.

Pens Mounted - The parts are separated and mounted on wooden dowels for handling during laquerwork.


Gatame and Nakanuri - As with the beginning of the typical lacquer process, the first layers of black lacquer are applied to create a foundation layer for the subsequent lacquerwork. The raw ebonite is first impregnated and hardened with raw lacquer, then several layers of black urushi is applied, sanding in between each layer. After the final layer is sanded, next comes the part is what makes this lacquer technique unique.






This is only the beginning!  Look forward to a video update!

1.10.12
Floating, Dipping and Powdering - Here come's the fun part, and the most unique aspect of the technique we are using. Urushi is first mixed with a proportion of solvent and denatured alcohol then dripped onto the surface of very still water. Suddenly the mixture jets across the surface of the water and then coalesces into a fine reticulated network as the alcohol separates out of the mixture and dissolves into the water. The pen parts are then carefully dipped through the surface of the water and the urushi clings to the surface of the pen. After a flick or two to remove excess water and the remaining droplets on the surface are air dried, the parts are powdered with gold powder, which adheres only to the network of urushi that has clung to the surface. This is the Seirei-Nuri technique, and this is how it's done.

More to come!!!!