{"product_id":"hirai-woodworking-lacquer-unshu-series-bock-14k-gold-fine-fountain-pen","title":"Hirai Woodworking Lacquer Unshu Series 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\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHirai Shikkiten\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHirai Shikkiten is a boutique lacquer atelier with roots stretching back to the postwar era, quietly operating in the historic Kiso region where Japan’s finest urushi craftsmanship has been nurtured for centuries. Unlike larger workshops, Hirai Shikkiten has always remained intentionally small—often producing only a handful of pens at a time—because every piece is made entirely by hand, using natural urushi tapped from Japanese lacquer trees and cured through the slow, traditional furo process.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCollectors are often surprised by how much individuality each pen carries. The workshop is known for its subtly uneven textures, organic gold-leaf scattering, and warm depth of color that simply cannot be replicated through mass production. These characteristics are not “imperfections,” but the mark of true urushi work, revealing the presence of the artisan’s hand in every layer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHirai Shikkiten also has a reputation among enthusiasts for collaborating on special small-run projects with shops in Nagano and central Japan—projects that were never widely advertised, making surviving pieces unusually rare. Many older examples exhibit experimental combinations of urushi tones, metallic flakes, and hand-burnished finishes that foreshadowed techniques now used by modern luxury makers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBecause the workshop does not operate at a commercial scale, their pens rarely appear outside Japan and are often passed between collectors before ever reaching the open market. For customers seeking something with true wabi-sabi charm—an object shaped slowly, deliberately, and with a sense of quiet artistry—Hirai Shikkiten pieces offer the experience of owning a pen that feels genuinely alive, one that reflects both the region’s heritage and the touch of the craftsman who created it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHirai Shikkiten Unshu Series\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis Hirai Shikkiten fountain pen is a wonderful example of the atelier’s deep respect for natural materials and slow, traditional craftsmanship. Instead of urushi over ebonite, this piece is crafted from richly figured wood—most likely Japanese zelkova or a similar high-grade burl—chosen for its swirling grain patterns and the warmth it develops over time. Hirai Shikkiten is known for treating wood with the same level of care they give to lacquer, and that philosophy is clear here: the surface has been hand-finished to a gentle sheen that preserves the natural movement of the grain rather than obscuring it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnlike modern mass-produced wooden pens, this piece carries the unmistakable feel of hand shaping. The transitions between cap, section, and barrel are subtly organic, almost as if the pen has been grown rather than machined. The lacquer sealing over the wood is thin and breathable, enhancing durability while allowing the depth of the burl to glow—something collectors often describe as a “living” finish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe minimalist form is deliberate. Hirai Shikkiten often avoids ornate decoration, choosing instead to highlight the inherent beauty of the material. The focus is on harmony: the warm wooden body, the quiet gold trim, and the soft curve of the silhouette create a pen that feels rooted in Japanese natural aesthetics—calm, tactile, and deeply personal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePieces like this were never produced in large numbers. They were often sold in small specialty shops in Kiso and Nagano, typically to customers who already understood the value of traditional handwork. Today, surviving examples are uncommon, especially in such clean condition. For collectors, this pen represents not only a functional writing instrument but also a rare glimpse into a workshop that worked quietly, skillfully, and without concern for mass-market trends—where every piece was made slowly, by hand, and meant to age beautifully with use.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBrand\u003c\/strong\u003e: Hirai Shikkiten\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaterial\u003c\/strong\u003e: Wood\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFilling mechanism\u003c\/strong\u003e: Converter or Cartridge (International proprietary Cartridges)\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeed\u003c\/strong\u003e: Plastic\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSize\u003c\/strong\u003e:149 mm (capped)  137 mm (from nib)\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWeight\u003c\/strong\u003e: 30 g\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNib\u003c\/strong\u003e: Bock 14K Gold Fine size Nib\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBOCK 14K GOLD NIB \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis Hirai Shikkiten pen is fitted with a Bock 14K gold nib, a choice that reflects the workshop’s preference for reliability, refinement, and long-term serviceability. Bock, a German nib manufacturer with roots dating back to 1939, is known for producing some of the most consistent and responsive nibs in the industry. Hirai Shikkiten often paired their handcrafted wooden bodies with Bock nibs precisely because they deliver a writing feel that matches the elegance and honesty of the pen itself.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 14K gold composition gives the nib a balanced character—slightly soft without being overly flexible—offering a gentle cushioning sensation as it meets the paper. This subtle springiness is especially appreciated by writers who enjoy a smooth, expressive line without sacrificing control. The tipping is carefully polished, creating a clean, reliable glide suitable for everyday writing or slower, more meditative note-taking.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat makes the pairing special is the contrast between traditions: the warm, natural Japanese handcraft of the wooden body and the precision-engineered German nib working together in perfect harmony. It is a combination seen only in small artisanal workshops, where the maker selects each component for function, feel, and longevity rather than brand uniformity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOver time, the Bock 14K nib develops an even smoother character as it subtly adapts to the user’s writing angle. In a pen like this—already rich with organic texture and handmade spirit—the nib becomes not just a writing tool but an extension of the writer, evolving with each page written.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCondition\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBRAND NEW!\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Engeika Order","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47914147479690,"sku":"NVF-NSK-458","price":500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0374\/6188\/5066\/files\/img9812-edit.jpg?v=1775197160","url":"https:\/\/engeika.com\/products\/hirai-woodworking-lacquer-unshu-series-bock-14k-gold-fine-fountain-pen","provider":"engeika.com","version":"1.0","type":"link"}