Namiki Yukari Milky Way and Shooting Stars

Namiki Yukari Milky Way and Shooting Stars

Two innovative techniques are enriching Maki-e usual ones to illustrate the mythical and mysterious Milky Way. They bring a touch of modernity in a refined design that makes us dream.

Milky Way
Meaning of the design:
The Lyra constellation, located in the northern hemisphere and dominated by the bright Vega, adorns the barrel, while the Aquila constellation, located near the celestial equator and its main star Altair, are highlighted on the cap.
Used Techniques:
Gold powder streaks (Hira maki-e) wrap themselves elegantly around the pen body covered with black urushi lacquer, to illustrate the Milky Way that crosses the night sky. They are enhanced by a fine sprinkling of dry vermilion lacquer particles, due to a delicate technique of Maki-e, Shu-kanshitsu. The stars of the constellations are represented by inlays of small gold circles and silver as well as mother of pearl ones very finely cut in shellfish (oysters abalone ...) by means of Raden technique. These pearly slices present amazing shades due to a second very special technique, Fuse-zaishiki, which consist in coloring the back of the shell pieces to be encrusted so that the added color combines by transparency with its iridescent aspect. On highs of sophistication!

Artist: Michifumi.
Under the artistic direction of the famous master Yoshiaki Taguchi, himself student of Yoshikuni Taguchi and Mashiki Masumura, both recognized in Japan as "living national treasure".
Model: Yukari

Shooting Stars
Meaning of the design
Bright phenomenon which accompanies the entry into the atmosphere of a body called meteorite, the shooting star is a cosmic dust which vaporizes in the contact of the air, leaving behind itself a brilliant trajectory of gas.
It was formerly interpreted as the soul of the deceased who rode to heaven carrying the wishes of the living. The belief has passed but the lovely tradition of making a wish when you see a shooting star remained!
Used techniques
The planets in the galaxy are represented by inlays of small gold and silver circles as well as mother of pearl ones, very finely cut in shellfish (oysters , abalone ...) thanks to the Raden technique. These pearly slices present amazing shades due to a very special technique, Fuse-zaishiki, which consists in coloring the back of pearl pieces to be encrusted, usually with gold or silver. The new thing is to do it with colored pigments. So that the added color is combined by transparency with its iridescent appearance.
The highly graphic bright trails of shooting stars, in the middle of the night sky, are skillfully designed by trajectories of silver flakes due to Gin-birame, second innovative technique, giving the whole a definitely modern look.

Artist: Misa
Under the artistic direction of the famous master Yoshiaki Taguchi, himself student of Yoshikuni Taguchi and Mashiki Masumura, both recognized in Japan as "living national treasure".
Model: Yukari