This piece, the “Raden Fountain Pen: Stardust,” is crafted by the “Hōshūkai,” a group of Kaga maki-e artisans based in Ishikawa Prefecture. The group is led by Yōtan Yamazaki, a maki-e artist based in Yamanaka Onsen.

Raden (mother-of-pearl inlay) is one of Japan’s traditional decorative techniques. The creation of this piece begins with the application of high-quality Japanese lacquer to the barrel, creating a deep black reminiscent of the night sky. Next, three types of abalone shell, crushed using a special technique, are carefully applied in stripes onto the black lacquer using a powder tube traditionally used in maki-e. Following this, the process of applying lacquer and polishing is repeated numerous times, resulting in a beautiful finish rich in depth and luster.

The sight of countless stars quietly twinkling across the night sky is like fragments of a dream flickering to life. Their glow illuminates the heart with a gentle light, creating the sensation that a tiny universe resides in the palm of your hand. This piece, which captures the fleeting yet beautiful glow of stardust, features the Hōshūkai signature and a limited edition number meticulously applied to each piece using the maki-e technique, and is housed in a specially crafted paulownia wood box.

A special pen that fuses German craftsmanship—as embodied by the Pelikan “Souverän M1000”—with Japan’s exceptional decorative techniques.