Rankaku

[Gorowitz]

Is rankaku the most difficult technique in maki-e?


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[Formulansx]

This is beyond me. I have not ventured into maki-e country so far.

[jar]

Originally Posted by Gorowitz

Is rankaku the most difficult technique in maki-e?


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No.

It is certainly difficult if done correctly but then so are all of the various maki-e techniques. The general category is Raden and whether the thing being inlaid is dove egg shell or abalone or pieces of precious metal foil other materials the process is labor intensive, demanding, unforgiving and beautiful when done correctly.

[Gorowitz]

Originally Posted by jar

No.



It is certainly difficult if done correctly but then so are all of the various maki-e techniques. The general category is Raden and whether the thing being inlaid is dove egg shell or abalone or pieces of precious metal foil other materials the process is labor intensive, demanding, unforgiving and beautiful when done correctly.

Thanks for the information. Why are there few maki-e pens with rankaku technique?


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[jar]

Originally Posted by Gorowitz

Thanks for the information. Why are there few maki-e pens with rankaku technique?


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I didn't realize there were so few. Patterned Raden work is more labor intensive than simpler Maki-e but probably not more labor intensive or demanding than Chinkin. With Raden mistakes can be recovered in most cases, pieces can be moved or replaced. With Chinkin though a mistake often means starting all over.

[Gorowitz]

I am thinking of buying a high end maki-e pen, like Namiki emperor series. Namiki, Danitrio or Nakaya, all make excellent maki-e pens. What is your choice? Appreciate your advice.


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[jar]

Originally Posted by Gorowitz

I am thinking of buying a high end maki-e pen, like Namiki emperor series. Namiki, Danitrio or Nakaya, all make excellent maki-e pens. What is your choice? Appreciate your advice.


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Generally I prefer Danitrio when it comes to Maki-e and Nakaya when it comes to Urushi. Then probably Sailor next and Pilot/Namiki last.

One from Danitrio


some from Nakaya


and from Sailor


and just for fun.

[Gorowitz]

Thanks. But Namiki fetch higher prices at auction.


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[jar]

Originally Posted by Gorowitz

Thanks. But Namiki fetch higher prices at auction.


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Often that's true. But having owned samples from all and having used them for over a quarter century I have developed different preferences. But remember it is simply based on my personal experience and others like far different things than I do. There are even folk that like pudding or Lite beer or yogurt.

Also I generally buy based on whether or not the item will please me, not on what it might sell for at some future auction. Should I sell the item later and sell at a lower price than I paid initially I view the difference as a rental and educational fee. After all I spent over a half century accumulating pens and never selling any of them.

For example. When it comes to Pilot/Namiki pens I find the sections on most all the way up to the Yukari Royal/845/823/743 size pens slight slimmer than I like. The Emperor on the other hand is BIG, really bigger than I enjoy. It's up there with some of the larger Danitrios and I don't enjoy them either.

It's not that I dislike all big pens but there is a limit to how big a pen can be and my personal enjoyment. Once it gets much larger than the Montblanc 149 or Sailor King of Pen or Platinum Izumo or Delta Dolcevita Oversize or my other similar sized pens it starts feeling awkward in hand, and that's where my pens belong.

[Juantxo]

Some people could retire with just the gold pen with the boys playing...!!

Beautiful stuff, Jim. Congrats.