Wancher Sekai - Saihi Urushi - Aka-age Raden

Each Saihi-Urushi fountain pen is a unique, handcrafted item. The Saihi-nuri technique requires numerous work steps and particularly careful, minimal polishing to preserve the characteristic textures.
Fine traces of this process are deliberately left visible – a sign of true craftsmanship and not a defect. The Raden Edition additionally features shimmering mother-of-pearl inlays, which give the fountain pen fascinating depth and light effects.

Saihi Urushi – An Imperial Art Form

Saihi Urushi originated in Huizhou, China, and has been revered as a royal art since the Song Dynasty. For centuries, it was so exclusive that only a few people outside the imperial court were ever allowed to touch it.
The technique was strictly guarded and almost disappeared in the 20th century.

Thanks to collaboration with highly specialized artisans from Fuzhou, Wancher is now able to revive this rare art form in the Sekai Saihi Urushi Collection – in a modern interpretation for writing instruments.

The Art of Saihi-nuri – Raw Natural Urushi

The core of the Saihi technique is Raw Natural Urushi – a natural lacquer with a strong color, distinctive texture, and semi-matte sheen.
It gives the wood exceptional durability and develops a beautiful patina over time:

– The lacquer becomes lighter
– The sheen intensifies
– The surface gains depth

A Saihi-Urushi fountain pen ages like a work of art – visibly, gracefully, and uniquely.

The Traditional Saihi-nuri Process

The production of a Saihi-Urushi fountain pen is complex and takes several months. Even though the technique has been adapted for writing instruments, the crucial steps remain unchanged:

1. Preparation of the Urushi
The raw lacquer is collected, filtered, and prepared for processing.

2. Creation of the Grooved Structure
The characteristic grooves are individually shaped by hand. They determine the later pattern and make each piece unique.

3. Gold Leaf (Kinpaku)
Finest gold leaf is applied to later create a shimmering effect.

4. 30–40 Layers of Colored Urushi
Applied layer by layer, each must dry completely. This process takes 3–4 months.

5. The Crucial Step: Sanding & Polishing
This is where the result is decided. Too much polishing – and the gold disappears. Too little – and the surface remains rough.
Only experienced masters control this balance.

Saihi Urushi + Raden – A New Dimension

The Raden Edition extends the traditional Saihi technique with fine mother-of-pearl inlays.
These shimmering Raden fragments are carefully integrated into the surface, creating a fascinating interplay of light, depth, and texture.

The combination of Raw Urushi, gold accents, and Raden makes this edition one of the most extraordinary interpretations of Saihi art available today.

Four Colors – Raden Edition

Each color possesses its own mood and depth:

– Aka-age Raden (Red)
– Ao-age Raden (Blue)
– Murasaki-age Raden (Violet)
– Kuro-age Raden (Black)

The Raden inlays give each variant an additional dimension of shimmer and elegance.

Technical Specifications – Raden Edition

• Material & Art Technique: Wood, Saihi Urushi, Raden
• Filling System: Standard cartridges & converter (European standard)
• Nib: #6 JoWo Stainless Steel or Wancher 18K Gold
• Feed: Plastic, Ebonite Black or Ebonite Red
• Shape: Classic, balanced, warm in hand

(Size specifications according to manufacturer: Coming Soon)

Scope of Delivery – Raden Edition

• Sekai Saihi Urushi Raden
• Traditional Japanese wooden box
• Converter
• Cartridge
• Instruction material

Shipping

– In stock, immediately available. Free shipping within Germany for orders over 50 € or pickup in store.