Ballpoint Pen - Classic Renaissance - KAZARI KANAGU ORCHID
ystudio Classic Renaissance KAZARI KANAGU Orchid ballpoint pen, body decorated with orchid motifs engraved on copper sheet according to traditional Japanese metal craftsmanship. Size 11.2 × 11.9 × 130.7 mm, arabesque design inspired by Taiwan's floral emblem.
Perpetuating the Artisans' Legacy - "錺 KAZARI KANAGU"
錺, metal craftsmanship, is often used for Buddhist veneration objects. As people's lifestyles change, this traditional metal accessory craft has gradually developed a new design aspect beyond the original decoration of temples, shrines, Buddhist altars, mikoshi, etc., allowing the art of metal engraving to integrate into everyday life.
YSTUDIO used orchids—a flower symbolizing elegance in Taiwan—as the design theme for the Kazari Kanagu fountain pen, combined with arabesque patterns engraved on the copper sheet and inlaid on the pen body. With the blend of centuries-old craftsmanship and writing instruments, you can witness our dedication and the lifelong devotion of Japanese artisans, and together, we can convey the weight of words.
Every intricate detail of the carvings tells the story of Japan’s centuries-old craftsmanship. As you hold the pen, our goal is to pass on the spirit of craftsmanship and the evolution of culture to every user, continuing to write a new chapter of classical art.
THE ARTIST
Japanese Decorative Metalwork
KAZARIKANAGU TAKEUCHI by Naoki Takeuchi
Born in 1982 in Kyoto, Mr. Takeuchi is responsible for the production at the family business, KAZARIKANAGU TAKEUCHI, which mainly focuses on producing and repairing decorative metal accessories for hardware on altars, shrines, and Buddhist temples. In 2020, he launched his own brand "錺之 KAZARINO," and in the same year, he became the representative director of Takeuchi Co., Ltd. The brand’s slogan is "Decoration has a mysterious power," aiming to help people live happier lives through decorative accessories and to continue developing more applications of Kazari Kanagu in various fields.
Ito Metal Carving Workshop
Founded around 1920, this is a unique manufacturing workshop located in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, Japan. It specializes in the production and hand engraving of gold metal scissors and is one of the few workshops of its kind in Japan. The current owner and representative is Mr. Mitsuhiro Ito, the third-generation successor.
Mr. Ito was born in 1943 and joined the family business in 1965, apprenticing under his father, Mr. Kinjiro Ito. Since then, he has worked diligently behind the scenes, contributing to the production of metal components used in traditional Japanese Buddhist altars, religious items, shrines, and temples.
- Box: 77x31x190 mm
- Refill: standard refill (one SCHMIDT 5888 F ceramic safety roller included)
- The KAZARI KANAGU ballpoint pen - (Orchid) won the Taiwan Golden Pin Design Award 2023
THE WEIGHT OF WORDS
How long has it been since you picked up a pen and wrote from your heart?
When writing to your loved ones or friends, you will find touching feelings, love, and tranquility between the lines. With our love for words and materials, we would like to introduce you to YSTUDIO stationery. Through YSTUDIO, we want to tell you a story about writing.
Let’s set aside electronics for a moment. Let’s rediscover the warmth of writing and the weight of words. Let’s write with our sincerest feelings and revive the fading culture of handwriting.
LEARN MORE ABOUT YSTUDIO
What YSTUDIO creates is not just the object itself, but also the true meaning behind it. They believe every object embodies a deeper significance. Through their products, they hope to bring more imagination into people’s lives, which is why they design products for everyday use.
YSTUDIO values the importance of simplicity in design.
Features
- Dimensions
- 11,2 × 11,9 × 130,7 mm
- Weight
- 62 g
- Material
- Brass
- Color
- Gilded
- Origin
- Taipei, Taiwan
- Brand since
- 2012
Designed in Taipei, decorated in Japan
The Classic Renaissance editions were born from a collaboration between ystudio in Taipei and Rakugei, a traditional art workshop in Japan. At Rakugei, Kohei Murata is the third generation in his family to work with foil, a technique his father taught him while he was studying at university. On some pieces, the foil is applied using the flat foil method, inspired by kimono weaving. Others revive the old Unryūhaku, a silver foil discovered in Kanazawa before World War II. Still others feature kazari kanagu, the metal engraving found on temples and Buddhist altars, on a copper foil inlaid into the pen body. Here, the value lies in the gesture made on the metal.
THE CLASSIC RENAISSANCE EXPERTISE
What sets these editions apart
The leaf, not the patina
On these editions, everything depends on the decoration applied to the metal rather than the aging of the bare brass. These surfaces are meant to be admired.
The flat foil of the kimono
Flat foil originally refers to a weaving method used on kimonos. Kohei Murata learned it from his father and has since dedicated himself to applying it to other objects, including these pens.
The old Unryūhaku
This silver leaf was discovered in Kanazawa by the founder of Rakugei, Kohei Murata's grandfather, before World War II. Since the technique is hardly documented, the Murata family is working to revive it.
錺, metal chasing
The kazari kanagu adorned temples, shrines, Buddhist altars, and mikoshi. Here, the patterns are engraved on a copper sheet embedded in the body of the pen.
The orchid and the dragon
The orchid, a flower symbolizing elegance in Taiwan, is paired with arabesque patterns engraved on copper. The dragon has its own adornment: a gold presentation box, a brass ink bottle, and a 14K gold nib on the fountain pen.
Two workshops, two countries
ystudio designs the pen in Taipei, Rakugei decorates it in Japan. Two editions make up this artisanal series, Heritage and Renaissance.