sailor - Fountain pen

SAILOR - Hana Henro Fountain Pen (曄遍路) - The Flowering Pilgrimage
Limited Edition Takamatsu Mitsukoshi: 88 pieces

Reference: Takamatsu Mitsukoshi Original, September 2018
Model: Profit Standard
Maki-e Artist: Masatoshi Kobayashi, artist name Ishin (已眞)
Technique: Traditional maki-e on urushi lacquer
Motif: Pilgrim (henro) walking among blooming rhododendrons (shakunage 石楠花)
Nib: 14k gold, Extra Fine (EF) size
Precious materials: Tagayasan ironwood (鉄刀木 - Indian ebony/Sri Lankan rosewood) for the cap cabochon and the butt-end button
Machining: Produced at Sailor’s Ten’ō factory (now the Hiroshima factory)
Spiritual detail: Sanskrit calligraphy (bonji) in gold powder on the cap
System: Cartridge/Converter
Condition: New - Never Inked

Exceptional condition: Absolutely new, never used, never inked. Opened only for photography. The nib has never touched paper. Pristine.

Complete set:
Original box
Official Takamatsu Mitsukoshi descriptive card (visible in photos)
2 cartridges / convertible Sailor cartridge or converter options
Complete documentation

Historical and Cultural Context

The name "Hana Henro" (曄遍路) poetically evokes the famous 88-temple Shikoku pilgrimage (Shikoku Henro), one of the most important spiritual journeys in Japanese Buddhism. The character 曄, read here as hana, resonates with 花 (flower), signaling the floral theme of this artwork.

The edition is limited to exactly 88 pieces, directly referencing the 88 temples of the pilgrimage, with each pen symbolizing a temple along this sacred 1,200-kilometer path.

The maki-e decor delicately depicts a pilgrim seen from behind, walking along a sunlit trail amidst blooming rhododendrons (shakunage). This flower is the emblem of Shikoku Mountains and traditionally accompanies pilgrims on their spiritual path.

The city of Takamatsu, located in Kagawa Prefecture on Shikoku Island, is one of the traditional starting and ending points of the pilgrimage. Takamatsu’s Mitsukoshi department store commissioned this exclusive edition to celebrate local cultural and spiritual heritage.

Artist Masatoshi Kobayashi (Ishin) preserves ancient maki-e techniques with exceptional mastery. His work captures both the meditative solitude of the pilgrim and the serene beauty of Shikoku’s mountainous landscapes.

Tagayasan ironwood (鉄刀木), used for the cap and the butt, is a precious material of exceptional density and hardness, traditionally reserved for the most prestigious pieces of Japanese craftsmanship. This Indian rosewood develops a noble patina over time.

The Extra Fine 14-karat gold nib offers a fine, precise stroke, especially valued for traditional Japanese writing and calligraphy.

Rarity and Provenance

This edition is among Sailor’s most confidential collaborations with Japan’s regional department stores. Of the 88 produced, nearly all remained in Japan, making this pen exceptionally rare on the European market.

Mitsukoshi editions in collaboration with Sailor are renowned for their flawless craftsmanship and strong heritage value. Hana Henro embodies both Sailor’s technical excellence and the spiritual depth of Shikoku’s pilgrimage.

Official authentication: Artist confirmed by Sailor Pen Company (direct correspondence 2024).

A unique collector’s piece for maki-e enthusiasts, Sailor collectors, or lovers of Japanese culture and spirituality.

Shipping
Secure shipping and careful packaging. Shipping from France.