The first design in the Andreas Lambrou AL Signature Collection is the Kikusuimon (Chrysanthemum and Stream). Kiku is Chrysanthemum, sui is stream and mon means design. Launched in 2005, its decoration is an interpretation of the traditional Japanese motif, in use since the thirteenth century. Symbolically, the chrysanthemum has medicinal uses and connotes health; flowing water is a symbol of long life.

AL1 Kikusuimon on the Parker Duofold Centennial

The decoration of the AL1 Kikusuimon combines elements of three specialized lacquer Maki-E techniques. The first is Togidashi Maki-E, which involves sprinkled gold dust between layers of urushi lacquer. This forms the background on which the rest of the design is built. The second is Taka Maki-E, which creates raised artwork that adds texture to the pen. The flowing golden curves of the stream and the individual petals of each gold or silver flower in the Kikusuimon are created using this technique.

AL1 Kikusuimon

Finally, the artist has applied the principles of Kakiwari Maki-E art whereby no two individual raised elements touch. A cushion of space surrounds each ripple of the stream and each petal of the flowers, allowing the background to show through. This is extremely difficult to achieve given that the medium of this art is liquid lacquer. This Maki-E technique is very rarely found today. The consummately executed Kikusuimon design shows incredible detail of the high relief elements of the chrysanthemum flowers as well as the water stream.

Highlights showing the Kakiwari Maki-E technique with the gold chrysanthemum and stream

With painstaking Maki-E works such as this, the artist creates a line drawing of the design on e-gata paper. This is a semi-transparent tracing paper, normally used for draft work.

Kikusuimon design on e-gata paper

The artist transfers the line drawing onto the pen body and begins the painting and creation of the design.

The pen body is painted with transparent urushi lacquer. He then paints baked lacquer on the back of the e-gata paper and on the lines of the design so that they can be transferred to the pen surface. This process is called Okime. The lacquer painted lines of the design on the e-gata paper can be transferred on several pens before the lacquer dries.

Once the design is transferred to the pen body, the artist sprinkles fine, wet stone powder (tonoko) or gold foil powder (keshiko) which makes the line drawing show through stronger. He then uses a very fine brush made out of a rat’s hair to paint the lines of the drawing. He then sprinkles pure gold powder on the design and dusts the surface with a brush. Finally, when the surface is dry it is polished with charcoal.

The Maki-E artist is Kyoosai Kamide. Although relatively young, he is highly acclaimed and all his works are made to order. They consist mainly of ceremonial tea containers. The AL1 Kikusuimon is the first work he has created on fountain pens. Every pen in the series carries his Red Seal signature.

There is a choice for the canvas of the Kikusuimon. The Parker Duofold Centennial, one of the most celebrated pen models of all time and the Classic Legend fountain pen.

A letter of authenticity handwritten by Andreas Lambrou, which he signed with the Artist and Masa Sunami will accompany each pen.

The series is official and carries the warranty and after sales service of the Duofold or the Legend, whichever is the canvas of the design.

The pens are housed in hand made gift boxes specifically designed for the collection.

Handmade gift boxes in solid wood with a selection of finishes
to compliment the color shades of the AL Signature Maki-E Art Pens

The Kikusuimon is an original and unique design. It is completely hand crafted with natural precious materials. All pieces in the series conform to the same poetic theme, but each differs just enough from the others to be truly a distinctive work or Art.

The series comprises 15 pieces on the Parker Duofold Centennial and 15 pieces on the Classic Legend world-wide. Each piece is handcrafted to order. Please contact us for availability and price.

The AL1 Kikusuimon was featured on the cover of Pen World International magazine Volume 18, No. 6 June/July 2005.

Cover of Pen World International magazine June/July 2005

This issue of Pen World contains an extensive article by Marie A. Picon titled, "Health, Longevity and Collaboration." The article can be viewed by clicking this link.

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