The Bologna-based manufacturer SCRIBO has just announced a new collaboration with some of Japan’s skilled Urushi artists, giving life to a limited‐edition model: the “Yamanaka Onsen” part of the LA DOTTA collection. In fact, this release further strengthens the bond between the two worlds—honoring centuries-old craftsmanship while offering collectors and enthusiasts what they value most: an Urushi lacquer fountain pen with a perfectly tuned nib.
The inspiration for the collection, as SCRIBO stated, draws on the serene setting of Yamanaka Onsen, in Ishikawa Prefecture, where “in the silence of hot springs and walks in the woods, the tradition of wood carving and the precious ‘urushi’ lacquering has been handed down for centuries.” However, if I were to let my imagination wander, I’d say this edition, with its warm tones and timely release, naturally melts into the autumnal color palette, as though it were always meant to.
“From the symbolic meeting between Bologna and Yamanaka Onsen, La Dotta Yamanaka Onsen was born, a fountain pen that becomes a bridge between cultures, languages, and traditions,” says the company. The new edition thus symbolises not only the act of writing, but the cross-cultural dialogue of craftsmanship.
While I’m not sure it was a deliberate decision, the color and finish feel seasonally intentional: a warm, wood-brown tone achieved through Tamenuri, a traditional Japanese lacquer technique that demands both patience and remarkable skill.
With its golden-brown hue, the pen recalls fallen leaves, amber wood, and the mellow glow of autumn afternoons, a color that, in fact, feels perfectly aligned with the season’s palette. I can’t help but think it would’ve been nice to see a few leaf motifs set in relief on the pen, which would’ve made it even more appealing both visually and to the touch.
For this edition, Scribo partnered with a renowned Japanese craftsman who transformed 123 ebonite base pens into true Urushi artworks. The creation process requires, above all, patience and time. “Urushi Master Shimizu-san has expertly dressed an Italian handcrafted product with his mastery, giving life to a dialogue made of care, dedication and respect for time. Each piece is the result of months of work, slow and precise gestures that encapsulate the passion of two worlds united by the love for art.” says the brand.
The Tamenuri lacquer technique involves multiple layers of urushi applied by hand, dried in humidity-controlled conditions, polished and re-polished, enabling the finish to “breathe” and show subtle depth rather than a flat plastic tone. In fact, this is what gives the writing instrument its presence and texture.
To match the warm aesthetic of the edition, each pen is fitted with yellow-gold trim that beautifully complements either the 18-carat gold nib or the 14-carat flexible gold nib for which Scribo is so well known. And because the craftsmanship is so demanding and time-intensive, the edition is strictly limited: just 123 pieces worldwide. This rarity underscores the care and exclusivity behind the piece.
From a practical perspective, I see this writing instrument as just as suitable for daily use as it is for collecting. With a price point slightly above €1,300, it’s an offer one can hardly refuse, provided one manages to secure a piece before it sells out, which is quite a challenge, I must say.