DENSHO
 

Densho is our latest collection with another ebonite ED pen with Maki-e designs. This time, we started Densho with the simplest Maki-e design, followed by Hira Maki-e and the slightly more complicated Togidashi Maki-e, then to the dimensional Taka Maki-e, and finally to the most difficult Shishiai Togidashi Maki-e using many standard designs.

We asked Kogaku-san, Koho-san, and Oohata-san to start these standard designs as the first round of the Densho Collection. We hope you feel it is a lot easier to get acquainted with Maki-e after you see all these standard designs. Then, in addition to the standards, there are many other design techniques such as Raden, Hyomon, and various Kawari-nuri (Paintings with special techniques) to make designs more colorful.


The Authors of this collection:    
KOICHIRO OKAZAKI (KOGAKU) AKIHIRO SHINDE (KOHO THE THIRD) MINORU OOHATA (RAKKAN)  
Koichiro Okazaki      
   
Koichiro Okazaki. Signature: Kogaku.
Title: Dento Kogei-shi. Born in 1959.
He learnt Maki-e from a master and was recognized with Kao (authorized monogram) Omote School in 1991 by Kuda Munenori of Sado (Tea ceremony). His works have been accepted by the National Art Exhibiton each year since then.
 
DE-121, Fuji-ni Tsubame (Wisteria and swallow). The base was gradated with #10 and #12 gold powders and Togidashi (repeated burnishing) after the black Urushi was painted all over the pen.
Kirigane (rectangular gold foils) was also used and set by hand.

DE-122, Horaisan (Mt. Horai). The rocks were raised with silver powder and Urushi and burnished by Shishiai Togidashi Maki-e technique. Tsukegaki (very thin lines drawn with sticker Urushi before the fine gold powder is sprinkled. - the technique is used for lasting effect.) is used on the crane, the trees and the house.

DE-123, Takara-zukushi (Symbols of treasures). #10 and #12 gold powders used to gradate the design and spread Kirigane (rectangular gold foils) around the symbols. All symbols use the Tsukegaki technique and are finished with Togidashi.

DE-124, Hyakunin Isshu (A theme from "Cards of one hundred poems). #12 gold powder used with Nashiji to gradate the design, and then set with Kirigane. The deer uses the technique of Tsukegaki, and the poem was written with #5 gold powder.

DE-125, Toki (A Japanese crested ibis).Gradation and Tsukegaki techniques are used for the ground with water and the grass. The bird uses #7 gold powder for Tsukegaki and the body was beautifully painted with beige and red Urushi.

DE-126, Nami Usagi (Rabbit running on the waves). Gradation technique is used with #10 and #12 gold powders for the base, and the rabbit and the waves used Tsukegaki technique, and were completed with Roiro-migaki.

DE-121
DE-122
DE-123
DE-124
DE-125
DE-126
Model MSRP In U.S. Artist
DE-121, Fuji (wisteria) $2,000.00 Kogaku
DE-122, Horaisan (Mt. Horai) $2,000.00 Kogaku
DE-123, Takara-zukushi (Symbols of treasures) $2,000.00 Kogaku
DE-124, Hyakunin Isshu (Cards of one hundred poems) $1,200.00 Kogaku
DE-125, Toki (A Japanese crested ibis) $1,300.00 Kogaku
DE-126, Nami Usagi (Rabbit running on the wave) $1,200.00 Kogaku