Platinum Izumo Hon-urushi Raden Maki-e Aurora Fountain Pen

The design of this pen is truly stunning, having been created using 'togidashi maki-e'. 'Maki-e' - or 'sprinkled picture' in Japanese - is a traditional craft technique that uses a kebo brush to apply gold or silver powder. The particular form of maki-e used for this pen - togidashi - originated four centuries ago in the Aizu region of central Japan. It involves applying black lacquer ('urushi') as an additional coat.

The delicately-hued bands around the barrel and cap are made from thin slivers of abalone shell which have been set into the surface of the lacquer, a technique known as 'raden'.

The nib is 18k gold, available in fine, medium and broad. The clip is gold-plated beryllium-copper alloy.

The overall effect is a beautifully presented, painstakingly hand-crafted writing instrument with a subtle lustre and depth of colour.

Supplied with a silver fabric fountain pen pouch, a bottle of blue-black ink, a blue-black ink cartridge and a converter in a simple box made of paulownia wood.