Tamenuri is an ancient traditional Japanese Urushi technique. Translucent Suki-Urushi is applied to the special base coating, resulting in a unique deep patina which will naturally lighten and mature with use over time.
The artist, Mr. Koushu Nishihara has hand painted his signature and the limited number on each barrel.


Urushi Artist – Koshu Nishihara
He was born into a family of ‘Butsudan’ Maki-e artists in Hiroshima Japan, and he has lived with, and worked in the traditional Japanese Art of Maki-e design all of his life.
During his training in the Wajima Urushi Lacquer Institute of Art in Ishikawa, he has mastered the traditional Japanese Urushi Lacquer Art from the famous master Mr. Masato Ikawa and Mr. Chokou Watabe.
Mr. Nishihara who resides in the Hiroshima region of Japan started working with Maki-e designs on Sailor’s fountain pens in 2002.
He maintains the Japanese traditional techniques and yet he does not hesitate where necessary to bring new youthful ideas into the art of Maki-e.
Many of his original and imaginative works of Art are exhibited in Traditional Urushi Lacquer Art shows in Japan and several other private exhibitions.