Turquoise Hemp Leaves Glass Dip Pen with Pen Rest

The Turquoise Hemp Leaves Glass Dip Pen is a handcrafted Japanese glass dip pen from Gabi Kobo, finished in an opaque turquoise, with a band of asanoha, the traditional hemp leaf pattern, running round the middle of the barrel.

The lattice is worked in pale gold, and deeper inside the glass behind it lies a mottled blue and violet that shows through every opening between the stars. It is Gin-yohen, a technique Gabi Kobo uses on its hemp leaf pens, in which silver foil is put through chemical changes by altering the oxygen levels during heating to produce blue and yellowish tones. The colour it leaves is different on every pen.

Asanoha is a geometric motif of six-pointed stars, and Komorebi's other hemp leaf pens carry it as a traditional Japanese symbol of growth, resilience and good fortune. Tomoya Sakagami, a young self-taught artisan, works the band so that the stars hold their geometry evenly around the barrel.

Two turquoise glass spheres, fused into a single rest, come with the pen and hold the wet nib clear of the paper. Dip the fine nib in Japanese dip pen inks and rinse it in water when you change colour.

Browse the full Japanese glass dip pens collection, or see the rest of the Gabi Kobo studio's work.

Details

• Nib Size: Fine
• Length: 5.1" (13 cm)
• Weight (Pen): 1.3 oz (38 g)
• Material: Glass
• Brand: Gabi Kobo
• Ink is not included.
• Note: Each piece is uniquely handmade, so expect some individual differences.

Gabi Kobo: Modern Craft, Timeless Tradition

Gabi Kobo is a studio where art meets tradition under the skilled hands of Tomoya Sakagami. The studio's name derives from the elegant 'Gabizan' plant, blending with Sakagami's own name to symbolize the beauty and grace of his creations. Each glass pen crafted by Tomoya is not just a tool but a piece of art, reflecting his commitment to aesthetics and functionality. He started in burner work out of curiosity after stumbling upon a beginner's kit in a department store, and his passion grew as he explored and mastered the craft independently.

Tomoya's design choices are deeply influenced by the beauty and continuity of traditional Japanese patterns. He chooses motifs such as hemp leaves and the Shippo Tsunagi not merely for their traditional value but for their stunning visual appeal and the intricate perspectives they offer. His innovative method involves connecting multiple elongated beads, allowing for detailed pattern work without compromising the integrity of the glass. This technique, along with his use of chemical reactions in the glass to create unique color effects, sets his pens apart in both beauty and construction.