Craft & Curate
- Japanese Maki-e Fountain Pens Gather

We are pleased to present an event centered on connecting traditional Japanese craftsmanship with our customers, showcasing the enduring beauty of Maki-e ― a traditional Japanese lacquer decoration technique applied to fountain pens.

The event brings together a curated selection of Maki-e fountain pens from Japan and abroad, including exclusive designs available only at Itoya. All pieces will be available for both display and purchase.

Throughout the event, visitors can enjoy experiential programs and talk sessions that explore the techniques and cultural background of Maki-e. These programs offer a closer look at the artisans’ skills and the refined aesthetic sensibility embodied in each piece.

We invite you to experience firsthand the depth and elegance of Japanese craftsmanship, expressed through a single fountain pen.

Further details will be announced on this page and on Itoya’s official X account (@Ginza_Itoya).
We look forward to sharing more with you.

Craft & Curate - Japanese Maki-e Fountain Pens Gather -
Date: April 17-26, 2026
Place: Ginza Main Store G.Itoya 10F

CHECKItoya Exclusive Maki-e Fountain Pens

Itoya-exclusive fountain pens depicting animals that represent the six continents of the world.Using traditional maki-e techniques passed down in Wajima,Japan, each design portrays a parent and child from each continent. The series embodies the message of carrying Japanese traditional craftsmanship and culture into the future.

Animals, an uncommon motif in maki-e, are expressed with elegance and fluidity through a variety of refined decorative techniques, showcasing both artistry and innovation within tradition.

“Hana-Ikada” refers to the poetic Japanese scene of cherry blossom petals drifting across the water’s surface, flowing together like a raft. This Itoya-exclusive fountain pen delicately captures that fleeting and beautiful moment through intricate maki-e artistry.

The petals, softly emerging against the deep black of urushi lacquer, quietly evoke the gentle passage of spring.
It is a special piece that carries with it the subtle seasonal sensibility and lingering afterglow unique to Japan.

The shadow cast by a folding fan and the faint trace of fragrance lingering on silk robes evoke a quiet sense of elegance.
This maki-e fountain pen portrays a kimono-clad woman as a symbol of Japanese beauty. Inspired by the refined court culture of the Heian period, it expresses the aesthetic of subtle presence and atmosphere through the art of maki-e.

CHECKMaki-e fountain pens from both Japan and abroad.

A limited-edition fountain pen from Itoya’s ROMEO No.3 series, adorned with the 2026 zodiac sign, the Horse, rendered in the traditional Japanese art of taka maki-e.

The design depicts “Yabusame”, the ancient Japanese martial art of mounted archery, in which an archer releases a whistling arrow while galloping on horseback. Practiced as both samurai training and Shinto ritual, its origins trace back to the Heian period.

Set against a deep green background, beneath drifting cherry blossoms, the dynamic figure of an archer in hunting attire and a white horse is vividly expressed in raised maki-e technique.
The Italian resin body features a marbled pattern of remarkable depth, with no two pens ever alike.

The barrel is decorated in hira maki-e by Kaga maki-e artist Sōkō Ōshita, depicting “Hama no Matsu,” a quintessential Japanese coastal landscape. After applying a lacquer underlayer, dozens of different gold and silver powders are meticulously layered to create a grand contrast between the pine trees along the shore and the rolling waves of the sea.

This special event combines an exhibition where you can see and purchase the pens in person with a bespoke nib-tuning service tailored to each customer’s writing style.
As Nakaya Fountain Pen does not operate a physical retail store, this is a rare opportunity to experience their pens firsthand.

Dates: April 17 (Fri) – 19 (Sun) Time: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM(On the final day, the event will end at 6:00 PM.) Please note: breaks will be taken during the day.

A hands-on workshop where you can experience chinkin, a traditional decorative technique used in Wajima lacquerware,, by creating your own original coaster.
By working directly with carving tools, participants will gain a deeper appreciation of the craftsmanship and the enduring appeal of Japanese craftsmanship.

Date: April 25 (Sat)
Time: 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM / 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM

Join Kojiro Nakamuro, President of Wajimaya Zenni, and Shota Hirayama, Deputy Store Manager of the flagship store of Ginza Itoya, for a special talk session.
They will be sharing stories behind the creation of the Six Continents series of maki-e fountain pens and insights into the artistry behind them.

Date: April 26 (Sun)
Time: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM

Wajimaya Zenni
Founded in 1813 during the Edo period (Bunka era), Wajimaya Zenni has upheld its craft for more than two centuries. Guided by the family precept “A craftsman must possess noble character,” the atelier has fostered a culture dedicated to the continual refinement of both technique and sensibility. In 1984, the company established Japan’s first design firm specializing exclusively in lacquer art, pursuing new expressions of beauty through urushi craftsmanship. Further committed to excellence, Wajimaya Zenni has sought the finest domestically produced lacquer, and since 1997 has been cultivating Japan’s largest urushi forest in Joboji, Iwate Prefecture—laying the foundation for the future of lacquer art.