AP Limited Editions pays tribute to the legendary ‘Tancho’ or Red-Crowned Cranes of Japan with its latest maki-e masterpiece, the “Dancing Cranes of Hokkaido” fountain pen.
The mythological Tancho is one of the rarest birds in the world. With a wingspan of over 2.5 metres, it is among the largest cranes in the world and ranges from Hokkaido to Siberia and Mongolia.
Revered by the indigenous Ainu people of Japan, Tanto are a recurring motif in poetry and literature and seen as a national symbol. Mating for life, they representing luck, longevity and fidelity.
Snow white in colour with velvet black secondary wings, these majestic birds have a distinctive patch of red skin on their crown.
The “Dancing Cranes of Hokkaido” fountain pen depicts a pair of these cranes dancing in the snow, leaping into the golden glow of an ethereal sky amid a blanket of snow-covered pine.
The elaborate artistry behind this piece employed the following steps:
Gold powder was sprinkled on the entire surface of the barrel and blended with gradations of blue urushi lacquer.
Rankaku (eggshell bits) were used to create the cranes.
Kirikane ultra-thin gold sheets were applied to form the beak.
Takamaki-e technique was employed for the winter backdrop. Charcoal powder was applied, then covered by platinum powder to depict falling snow.
Raden or crushed abalone shells were attached to create the resplendent water.
The pen is fitted with a “bulkfiller” plunger system affixed to the nib section. The reservoir can hold a massive amount of ink and makes for easy cleaning. This innovative mechanism is revealed by unscrewing the pen’s nib section.
Paying tribute to a timeless expression of fidelity, the AP Limited Editions Dancing Cranes of Hokkaido Fountain Pen comes in a numbered edition of just 9 pens signed by maki-e artist Fujino-san.
Visit AP Limited Editions or drop them an email at info@aplimitededitions.com for more information.
