{"product_id":"customized-pilot-custom-74-ume-ni-tsuru-motif-fountain-pen","title":"Customized Pilot Custom 74 Ume Ni Tsuru Motif Fountain Pen","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDetails\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Pilot Custom 74 is a modern classic from Pilot Corporation, designed as a simple yet refined everyday writing instrument. Its overall form follows a traditional cigar-shaped silhouette, with gently rounded ends and a balanced, medium size that suits a wide range of users.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe body is made from high-quality resin, often available in both solid colors and transparent “demonstrator” versions. The transparent models are especially popular, as they allow the internal structure and ink level to be visible, adding a subtle visual appeal without changing the pen’s clean design.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe pen features a screw-cap mechanism, which ensures a secure seal and contributes to its solid, well-built feel. Gold-colored trim, including the clip and cap band, adds a touch of elegance without being overly decorative. The overall aesthetic is understated and professional, making it suitable for both casual and formal use.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eArt\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIn-House Customization\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis customization project was born from a simple but meaningful idea: to create beauty through everyday hands while supporting local households. In Japan, customization has long been a beloved part of hobby culture. From stationery to Gundam models and Tamiya cars, people enjoy repainting, decorating, and reimagining objects they already own. Customization is less about perfection and more about storytelling—about giving an object a new chapter and a renewed sense of life. In this project, local housewives participated directly in the creative process, allowing artistic work to be done within the community while providing support to local households.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe pen bodies are coated using modern lacquer paint rather than traditional Japanese Urushi lacquer. The work is carried out with care and creativity, but without the rigid formality of classical techniques. This choice allows for experimentation and accessibility, making it possible for non-artisans to participate meaningfully in the creation process. Each pen is then decorated using a combination of modern Maki-e stickers and gold, silver, and copper leaf, resulting in a one-of-a-kind surface that reflects both individual expression and collective effort.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0374\/6188\/5066\/files\/visionedit-result.png?v=1776498388\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eModern Lacquer Paint \u0026amp; Modern Maki-e Stickers\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eTraditional Urushi lacquer and true hand-drawn Maki-e sit at the very top of Japanese decorative arts. Urushi is not simply paint—it is a living material that demands years, often decades, of training to control. Artisans apply layer after layer by hand, carefully curing and polishing each stage in humidity-controlled environments. Every line of Maki-e is drawn freehand with precious metal powders, where a single mistake cannot be undone. The process is slow, demanding, and exacting, but the result is extraordinary depth, durability, and cultural value that can last for generations.\u003cbr\u003eThis project takes a different path by design. Using modern lacquer paint and contemporary Maki-e style stickers allows for a more playful and expressive approach. The focus is on creativity, experimentation, and enjoyment. These modern methods invite freedom—combining metallic leaf, texture, and bold visuals to create something personal and unexpected. It is not about replacing tradition, but about exploring a lighter, more approachable way to celebrate art, imagination, and individuality.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0374\/6188\/5066\/files\/media-18.jpg?v=1776498385\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eDesign\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eUme ni Tsuru features a dual-toned landscape of deep crimson and celestial teal, heavily distressed with irregular, weathered applications of gold leaf. This \"shattered\" metallic texture creates an atmosphere of ancient transition, evoking the aesthetic of a royal screen or a fragmented artifact from a forgotten era.\u003cbr\u003eStretching across this textured horizon is a soaring white crane, its wings outstretched as it navigates through a scattered flurry of vibrant red plum blossoms. The interaction between the stark, graceful lines of the crane and the jagged, heavy gold leaf creates a profound visual dialogue between the eternal and the eroding.\u003cbr\u003eIt is a design that celebrates the triumph of life and longevity over the passage of time. The contrast of the cool blue barrel against the warm red cap mimics the arrival of spring amidst the fading cold, making it a perfect companion for writers who find inspiration in endurance, the cycles of nature, and the elegance found within the imperfect.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0374\/6188\/5066\/files\/img1948-edit.jpg?v=1776500407\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0374\/6188\/5066\/files\/img1941-edit.jpg?v=1776500398\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBrand\u003c\/strong\u003e: \u003cspan\u003ePilot\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaterial\u003c\/strong\u003e: \u003cspan\u003eResin \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFilling mechanism\u003c\/strong\u003e: Converter or Cartridge (Pilot Proprietary Converter \u0026amp; Cartridge)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeed\u003c\/strong\u003e: \u003cspan\u003ePlastic\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSize\u003c\/strong\u003e: \u003cspan\u003e143 mm (From the Cap) and 125 mm (From the Nib)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWeight\u003c\/strong\u003e: \u003cspan\u003e17 g \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNib\u003c\/strong\u003e: Pilot 14K-585 Gold #5 F Size Nib\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e#5 PILOT 14K GOLD NIB \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe #5 nib on the Pilot Custom 74 is one of Pilot’s most recognizable modern nib designs, known for combining compact size with high performance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis nib is classified as a #5 size, meaning it is smaller than the larger #10 and #15 nibs used on higher-end Pilot models. Despite its more compact proportions, it is still a full 14K gold nib, carefully engineered to deliver the same level of precision and consistency expected from Pilot’s premium lines.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVisually, the nib is elegant and balanced, typically featuring detailed engraving with the Pilot logo, gold content marking (14K or 585), and decorative scrollwork. Its shape is slightly shorter and narrower than larger nibs, which contributes to the pen’s overall compact and controlled writing character.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn terms of performance, the #5 nib is known for being smooth, precise, and slightly responsive. It offers a gentle springiness that gives a cushioned feel on paper, though it remains firm enough for consistent everyday writing. The smaller size also enhances control, making it especially suitable for fine writing and detailed work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnother defining feature is the wide range of nib options available. Pilot offers this nib in numerous variations—including extra fine, fine, medium, broad, and softer variants such as soft fine or soft medium—allowing users to tailor the writing feel to their preference.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCondition\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis pen has been customized with Lacquer paint by our local housewives. We are not Urushi artisans and this is not an Urushi Lacquer fountain pen. It is a Lacquer paint that we use to decorate this pen adding a new aesthetic and new look. The artwork is done by our local artist.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis pen is a creative experiment and an artistic customization, not a traditional Urushi or artisan Maki-e piece. It is offered as a unique, one-of-a-kind art object meant to be enjoyed for its individuality, community story, and playful exploration of materials.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlease treat the pen with the utmost care, if you do not know what you are doing, please refrain from opening hinges or things that might appear untightened, due to the age of this pen and hard contact or excessive force exerted on the pen damaging the pen.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Engeika Order","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48129508540554,"sku":"NVF-NSK-584","price":520.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0374\/6188\/5066\/files\/img1937-edit.jpg?v=1776500376","url":"https:\/\/engeika.com\/products\/customized-pilot-custom-74-ume-ni-tsuru-motif-fountain-pen","provider":"engeika.com","version":"1.0","type":"link"}