Transforming Your Writing Into Art
The Heart of Wancher: Our Artisans
Our artisans are more than just craftsmen; they are guardians of tradition and innovators of the future. With each stroke of their tools, they breathe life into raw materials, transforming them into exquisite pieces of art that are not only a pleasure to behold but also a delight to use. Their dedication to perfection is evident in every pen that leaves our workshop—a testament to their lifelong commitment to the craft.
Wajima Urushi [JAPANESE URUSHI]
Master Tsutomu Taya
Master Taya is the former president (理事長) of Wajima Urushi Association (輪島漆器商工業協同組合) and the former owner of Taya Shikkiten (田谷漆器店) that holds a history of 200 years in making lacquerware products. With 63-year hands-on experience in lacquerware technique, Master Taya is one of the top Masters in Japanese lacquerware creation.
Raden & Maki-e Artisan
Master Yamanoshita
With many years of experience as a Maki-e and Raden artisan, Master Yamanoshita has created precious artwork not only on fountain pens but also many other luxury lacquerware products.
To Master Yamanoshita, every single art carries it own story and spirits which can bring luck, prosperity and peace.
Wajima Urushi
Master Toshiaki Hiko
With 36 years of experience in doing coating for Urushi products, Master Hiko enjoys his everyday work with the beautiful Urushi layers. This job requires great attention and patience but it never fails to motivate Master Hiko. He believes that creating a smooth base coating is the first step toward making a perfect lacquerware product.
Urushi Lacquer
Master Mitsuo Uwamaki
Master Uwamaki already possessed a 33-year experience in making Urushi lacquer and doing the base coating. Creating a satisfying Urushi lacquer without any flaw is one of the steps that Master Uwamaki spent his whole career to learn and master.
Urushi Lacquerware
Master Satomi Hira
Master Hira, whose age still remains a secret is one of very few ladies spending her whole day in lacquerware workshop and making Urushi products. Master Hira loves the perfect shape and beauty of the final artwork. Her main role is sharpening and scraping of lacquer products, which requires a lot of detailed attention and significant effort over a long course of time.
Fountain Pens by Wajima Urushi Artisans
Shippoyaki Artisan
Master Okagaki Yukie
Master Okagaki Yukie has crafted amazing shippoyaki arts for the Seven Treasures fountain pen.
Growing up in the land of traditional crafts, Master developed a strong passion for arts and designs, and had her life tied to this field by starting her major at Kuwasawa Design School.
Hirota Urushi
Master Yoko Hirota
With a great interest in traditional handmade crafts since elementary school, master Hirota decided to choose this path and developed a strong passion for Japanese Urushi-making traditions.
Master Hirota now has more than 30 years of hands-on experience in making Urushi and Maki-e.
Hirota's artwork focus on the stylish minimalism and durability of the objects. Either it's a pair of chopsticks that serve everyday meals or it's an ornament used in the palace, it must last long and express aesthetics of Japan's art.