Izumo Yagumonuri * Platinum Maki-e

 The "Izumo Taisha" ("Izumo Grand Shrine"), the second most important Shinto shrine in Japan, is the setting for a sacred ritual known as "Dai-Sengu". This ceremony symbolises the complete reconstruction of the shrine and is carried out every 60 years. May 2013 saw the celebration of the completion of the final reconstruction.

 The restoration of the grand shrine is replete with meaning. The greatest attention is paid to the central hall, which is where the gods reside. This limited edition "Yagumonuri" was crafted to celebrate this important ritual. The name Yagumonuri refers to the traditional crafts of the city of Matsue in the Shimane Prefecture.

 Numerous processes are involved in the time-consuming and delicate art of Yagumonuri: a pattern drawn in bright, coloured lacquer is sprinkled with gold and coloured powder and then overlaid with several coats of transparent lacquer. With the passage of time, as the lacquer is polished it becomes increasingly transparent and the underlying drawings start to emerge. The motif represents a sea of clouds, the symbol of Izumo.

Important note: Urushi doesn't like direct sunlight, so keep your pens with their precious Urushi lacquer in a protected environment. A pen pouch, pen case or closed drawer is sufficient.

 Izumo-no-kuni is an area renowned for its production of Japanese paper. Shunichi Nakata, the founder of the Platinum Pen company, christened the new brand "Izumo" in 2010 in consultation with the city of Izumo in the Shimane Prefecture.