Sailor Rei 2nd Ishikawa Kaga-nuri Fountain pen

The Sailor Rei 2nd Ishikawa Kaga-nuri fountain pen, made by lacquer artist Isana Kobayashi based in Ishikawa, Japan, uses the Kaga-nuri gradation technique. Black lacquer is applied first as an undercoat, with layers of vermilion on top; black sections are allowed to show through in shapes resembling scratches, creating a unique finish that evokes wear. Finally, the pen is coated in clear lacquer and polished to a high shine.

Sailor's Rei fountain pen series showcases traditional urushi lacquer techniques from various regions across Japan. Urushi lacquer is prized for its beautiful finish and also is incredibly durable and naturally antibacterial, leading to its use in art, furniture, dishware, temples, and more since thousands of years ago. The process of creating urushi lacquerware is time-consuming and labor-intensive; it involves the application of dozens of layers of urushi lacquer, each of which must fully dry in a humidity- and temperature-controlled chamber before being polished with charcoal powder and recoated. Consequently, each pen can take months to complete. The result is a smooth, glossy, highly refined finish.

The Rei 2nd series features three designs created by lacquer artists Hirokazu Shimamori, Isana Kobayashi, and Natsumi Saitou. The fountain pen caps and barrels are constructed of ebony wood, with grip sections made of PMMA resin. The Sailor Rei fountain pens are slightly larger than a Sailor 1911 Large and use the 1911L-size 21k gold nib and use a cartrdige/converter filling mechanism.

Sailor pens was established in 1911 in Japan, becoming the first to produce fountain pens in their home country. They have subsequently built a first-class reputation in the manufacture of the highest quality nibs, with all parts made in their own factory in Hiroshima. Their flagship collections are the classic 1911 and boldly designed Professional Gear, all available with a 14k or 21k gold nib. The Sailor name comes from founder Kyugoro Sakata's British sailor friend who introduced him to fountain pens.