Polar Lights LE, Amairo Hekiku fountain pen * Taccia

Description:

Polar Lights are one of the most spectacular natural phenomena and occur when the solar wind reacts to the magnetic field of the earth. The result is a magical display of dynamically colored veils of light on the dark skydome.

Taccia designers and maki-e artisans were challenged to create a fountain pen that depicts these polar lights. Realizing the mysterious cerulean-blue base, one of the most difficult urushi colors to produce, proved quite a challenge. The Polar Lights on the Taccia Polar Lights LE is represented by narrow lines in abalone (raden). Each Raden line is inlaid by hand under several coats of urushi lacquer and then polished until they are visible again. Finally, ki-urushi layers are applied and polished many times until each Polar Lights LE is finished.

The 14kt duo-tone nib, manufactured by Sailor, is available in F, M, or B (or as our stock lasts). Taccia pens can be filled with Sailor ink cartridges or converter, and a beautiful Paulownia wooden box with pen kimono provides the finishing touch. Each Polar Lights LE pen is limited to 100 pieces worldwide.

The Raden technique is to apply thin strips (or particles) of mother-of-pearl or abalone. Harvesting the shell material is a painstaking job, and the application also requires a lot of craftsmanship.