AGJ Original Maki-e Fountain pen #59 "Star Festival (Tanabata) in July" Sailor 21K nib Sparkling Togidashi Taka Maki-e Kyoto Japan Wa

This AGJ original Maki-e Fountain pen is made by famous Kyoto Maki-e Artisan "Mokuren".
This design is an AGJ's original. You can not find anywhere else.
Kyoto Maki-e is the best known Maki-e technique in Japan.
This is original Maki-e fountain pen based on Sailor fountain pen.




On the barrel, the Magpies' bridge by which a couple could meeet once a year is painted.

What is Tanabata (Star Festival) ?
Tanabata, a Japanese Festival is the one that celebrates the meeting of the deities Orihime and Hikoboshi. According to legend, the Milky Way separates these lovers, and they are allowed to meet only once a year on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month on the Milky Way. The date of Tanabata varies by region of the country, but the first festivities begin on July 7 of the Gregorian calendar. The celebration is held at various days between July and August.


Magpie: Hira Maki-e
Silver powder, Silver powder coated with color Urushi Lacuqer
Eye/Beak: Color Urushi
Feather: Silver powder
Feather lines: Color Urushi
Letters: Hira Maki-e
Gold powder





Abalone shell
Gold powder


Barrel background: Togidashi Maki-e
Silver powder coated by color urushi lacquer
Abalone shell
Bamboo leaves: Taka maki-e, Hira Maki-e
Gold powder, Blue gold powder


Decoration of Kaji leaf: Color urushi
Hem and string: Gold powder


Strip of paper: Color urushi, Gold powder


Bamboo leaves: Taka maki-e, Hira Maki-e
Gold powder, Blue gold powder
Strip of paper: Silver powder
Lanturn: Color urushi, Gold powder


Lanturn: Color urushi, Gold powder


Artist name: Black urushi

Hira Maki-e
1. Urushi lacquer
2. Sprinkle Gold powder, Seikin: Alloy of Gold, Silver powder, Hirame and so on
3. Coated by Uwazuri and Black urushi
4. Polish by polishing and grindstone powders

Togidashi Maki-e (Mainly used for finishing evenly the background)
1. Urushi lacquer
2. Sprinkle Gold powder, Seikin: Alloy of Gold, Silver powder, Hirame and so on
3. Coated thickly by Nashiji and Black urushi
4. Burnished the urushi lacquer by charcoal
5. Polish by polishing and grindstone powders

• When coarse gold/silver/Hirame/Seikin powders are sprinkled, put a luster by burnished.
• After togidashi maki-e, Togidashi Hira maki-e is decorated Hira maki-e on togidashi maki-e.
• After togidashi maki-e, Togidashi Taka maki-e is decorated Taka maki-e on togidashi maki-e.
• Burnishing is needed when coarse powders are sprinkled.

Taka Maki-e
1. The design is created using urushi lacquer
2. Sprinkle charcoal/Silver powders to raise the layer
3. Dry
4. Spread urushi twice to make the layer thicker
5. Sprinkle gold/silver/Hirame/Seikin powders
6. Coat by Urushi
7. Burnish
8. Polish

• Charcoal powder: Show a soft feeling
• Silver powder: Feel solid

Tsukegaki Maki-e
1. Spread Urushi lacquer thickly
2. Sprinkle gold powder
3. Gold powders sink due to thick urushi
4. Do Togidashi
5. Gold powders shine
6. Polish