For their latest edition ‘Kitcho Noh Masks’, Montegrappa joined forces with Zohiko – Kyoto’s hallmark traditional lacquer store – to celebrate craftsmanship, art and beauty. At first glance, this edition may look a bit controversial, but I’m telling you, the story behind it is quite fascinating. Let’s discover it below!
Zohiko – Leading Lacquerware Brand
Zohiko is one of the most famous Japanese lacquerware brands, with a history dating back to 1661. The Kyoto-based brand is renowned for its exceptional craftsmanship in maki-e and other intricate lacquerware techniques. Over the centuries, Zohiko has been a symbol of Japanese luxury and tradition, producing a wide range of exquisite items, including furniture, tea ceremony utensils, writing instruments, and decorative pieces.
Zohiko’s works stand out for their unique designs, durability, and refined artistry, often incorporating motifs inspired by nature and classical Japanese aesthetics. The brand continues to blend heritage craftsmanship with contemporary innovations, making its lacquerware sought after by collectors, connoisseurs, and luxury enthusiasts worldwide.
Noh – World’s Oldest Theatrical Art
Noh is a classical Japanese theatrical art that dates back to the 14th century, making it one of the oldest surviving forms of theater in the world. It is known to have been developed during the Muromachi period (1336–1573) by Kan’ami and his son Zeami, who refined and formalized its aesthetics.
Rooted in older performing traditions like sarugaku and dengaku, Noh blends dance, drama, music, and poetry to create a highly stylized and symbolic performance. Actors wear elaborate masks and costumes, moving with slow, controlled gestures that emphasize subtle emotions. Noh performances often explore themes of ghosts, spirits, historical figures, and Buddhist philosophy — motifs that can also be observed in the Montegrappa edition.
A lesser-known fact is that Noh was originally performed for the samurai elite and the imperial court. Over time, it became more accessible and went on to influence later Japanese theater styles, including Kabuki and Bunraku. Today, Noh remains a revered art form, preserved by specialized schools and often performed in traditional settings.
The Edition
The Montegrappa edition pays homage to the sacred beauty of Noh, capturing its essence through intricate hand-painted designs of the omote — the masks worn by Noh performers, a key element of this theatrical tradition. I knew that Maki-e art was impressive, but this edition exceeds my expectations. The level of detail is astonishing — not only requiring intense work but also exceptional precision. This is why Montegrappa limited the edition to just three designs, with only eight copies of each.
Alongside the spectacular illustrations, each version showcases motifs from Japanese culture, such as the bamboo texture on the lid symbolizing strength. The clip features a small, triangular suehiro, the shape of an open folding fan, representing growing success. Additionally, the symbol of vortices – signifying vitality, power, and prosperity – is also rendered on the clip. The ornament on the cap’s finial, shaped like a wave, symbolizes eternal peace for the beholder.
Each of the three Noh characters – Demon, Woman, and Deity – is brought to life using the Taka-maki-e technique, which combines layers of urushi lacquer with precious metal dust.
The name of the edition also carries great significance, as Kitcho means ‘lucky omen,’ making each of the 24 pens a lucky charm for its new owner.
With prices ranging from €23,395 for the Deity version to €27,465 for the Woman version, each edition features a piston-filling system and an 18k gold nib, available in EF, F, M, B, and Stub 1.1 mm.
As a closing point, I must say this is one of the most fascinating releases I have seen from Montegrappa lately, with great collectible value and strong cultural significance, not only for art enthusiasts but beyond. If you’re looking for something truly special, this writing instrument is definitely worth exploring.