Sailor KOP Mono No Aware, Umi, Tame-sukashi, fountain pen, limited edition

Mono no Aware is a Japanese aesthetic and philosophical concept that evokes “the emotion of things” or “sensitivity to impermanence.” It refers to a gentle and melancholic awareness of life's fleeting nature and the beauty that arises from this impermanence. Mono no Aware invites contemplation and deep feeling for the transience of things, finding emotion and beauty in their fragility.

Tame-sukashi is a traditional Japanese lacquer technique known for its elegance. This technique uses multiple layers of lacquer to create a sense of transparency, giving the design visual depth and shading. The process begins with applying a Tame-nuri base and carefully layering transparent lacquer, one coat at a time. To gradually reveal the design, artisans scrape away parts of the lacquer or embed materials into it. As a result, the pattern seems to appear and disappear depending on the angle and lighting. The last step involves polishing the surface to a smooth, glossy finish, enhancing the distinct beauty of the Tame-sukashi pattern.

Natsumi Saito was born in Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture, and grew up in a family of artisans. She later honed her skills in the traditional craft of Appi lacquerware at the Ashiro Lacquer Technology Research Center in Hachimantai City. The Appi district in Hachimantai City is a distinctive lacquer production area in Japan, where ancient trees have thrived since the Jomon period (13,000 BCE – 400 BCE). This region is renowned for producing high-quality raw lacquer with exceptional clarity, vibrant color, and hardness. Since ancient times, it has been a major center for lacquerware production. During the Edo period (1603–1867), hundreds of artisans worked in this area, creating Appi-nuri lacquerware.
Due to the numerous layers of lacquer applied from the base coat to the topcoat, Appi-nuri lacquerware is exceptionally hard and durable. In her quest for more vibrant colors, Ms. Saito developed a unique technique called “mizukagami”. This method involves layering different types of lacquer to create rich, multidimensional hues and a distinctive depth of color. 

Since being featured in the “Soba Choko Art Exhibition” she has gained attention for her unique series of works.