Scribo continues its fruitful partnership with Japanese Urushi artists. The Bologna-based brand recently announced a new 110-piece limited edition that barely had time to make its way into collectors’ circles before selling out, as shown on the brand’s website, within a couple of days. This time, Luca Baglione’s team turned to a particularly rare Urushi technique to craft the new Piuma Hane Murakumo. Let’s dive in and see what makes this edition so special and desirable.
If you’ve had your eyes on the previous editions, you’ve probably noticed that the brand was quite consistent in the decorating technique. This time, however, they decided to depart from the classic Tamenuri and venture into more experimental territory. And it seems to have been one of the smartest decisions.
“HANE Murakumo is a frozen moment in time. It is a brushstroke and a gesture. And it is in the final gesture that Murakumo finds its voice.” – SCRIBO
Beyond its aesthetic appeal, this edition reminds us of something we tend to forget: that beauty finds its truest expression when we get out of the way. The artist barely intervenes – nature takes the lead, and the result is something no human hand could have planned. And honestly? Imperfection has never looked this good.
No two pens are alike, yet all of the 110 pieces stand out.
Nuritate: A New Special Technique
To create the design, Japanese artists use a special technique known as Nuritate. The process begins with a layer of white lacquer applied to the pen’s surface. The pen is then held over a dancing flame, allowing candle soot to settle naturally onto the lacquer. The result is a series of unique patterns that resemble clouds, hence the name Murakumo –“gathering clouds” in Japanese. With no further intervention from the artist, the lacquer is left in its rawest state, drying naturally into a solid, durable surface without being sanded or polished. The final result is entirely determined by the process itself rather than by subsequent refinement, which is what gives the piece its unmistakable character.
Though the entire process is carried out in a carefully controlled environment, the artist cannot fully control the subtle imperfections that arise during its execution, as they are an inherent part of the technique. These distinctive traces are exactly what bring the edition to life.
What I particularly like about Scribo is that they put the user’s experience first: not only from a writing perspective, but as a whole. This edition is a great example: it’s unique, intriguing by design, inviting the writer to slow down and take the time to explore it. And if you look closer, as light moves across the surface of the pen, new details gradually reveal themselves – you can see the artist’s technique, the way the design forms. It ultimately sparks the desire to put pen to paper more often. At least, that’s what it does to me.
Moving on to the technical specs, two nib variants are available: an 18k gold nib in Extra Extra Fine, Extra Fine, Fine, Medium, Broad, and BB, and a 14k flex nib in Extra Fine, Fine, and Medium. Both come equipped with an ebonite feeder and are compatible with cartridge or converter filling. Each pen is also presented in a Scribo pouch made with authentic Japanese kimono silk – another nice nod to the Japanese realm.
Now for the part that makes collectors wince: the price. Except this time, it shouldn’t. At around €1,100, this is arguably the best value for money pen one could’ve gotten – if you managed to secure one of the 110 pieces. The design and storytelling are absolutely spectacular, and the writing experience? Well, everyone knows what Scribo is in the market for.
The only question left is: did you get your hands on one?
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