Pontifex Maximus Mamiko MASAMURA, Artist Pen 2025 * Philosophical Instruments

For the first series of artist pens, carte blanche was given to six of the most highly regarded lacquer artists in Japan. Each of these fountain pens is a unique (1/1) work of art and represents the highest level of contemporary urushi art.

 From an early age, Mamiko Masamura (° 1986, Tokyo) observed her father and grandfather, Living National Treasures Mashiki and Kiichiro Masumura, at work. She graduated in 2011 with a master's degree in Fine Arts from the Department of Lacquer Art, Tokyo University of the Arts. From 2015 to 2018, she worked as a research assistant in the same department.

 Mamiko's work combines a contemporary vision with the traditional techniques of urushi art. Her work evokes nostalgia, and the atmosphere is one of quiet wonder. 

 Mamiko hand-drew an intricate pattern in coloured lacquer (iro-e) on her fountain pen. The drawings are embedded into another coat of coloured lacquer and are revealed through togidashi. The cap and section of the fountain pen are painted in a very matte nuritate in Mamiko's signature colours. The subdued composition hides artistic sophistication and technical excellence. Mamiko named her pen "Haru", which means spring.

Read more about Mamiko and her work here: A Day in the Life of an Urushi Artist.