Namiki Yabusame Limited Edition

Namiki Yabusame Limited Edition

Yabusame - literally means the traditional Japanese art of horseback archery, wherein an archer, riding at full gallop, attempts to pierce three sequential targets with kaburaya or whistling arrows. The sport existed as a form of horseback combat archery since the Heian period (AD 794 – 1185), and was further popularised during the Kamakura period (AD1185 – 1332), through art performance and the study of Samurai code. From the peaceful Edo period (AD1603 – 1868) to present-day, Yabusame evolved to become a ceremonial ritual at shrines to pray for peaceful times and a prosperous harvest. Apart from its practical use in combat, Yabusame also has a more formal etiquette of honour attached to it which has developed over the centuries. Only 99 pieces of Namiki Yabusame Limited Edition are being made for this collection. The pen cap depicts the scent of early spring Sakura blooming in full view. Illustrated in highly skilled traditional art of Togidashi (Burnished) Maki-e techniques and taka maki-e (raised relief), the cherry blossom is seen as if growing out of the cap. The galloping horse and archer in hunting clothes aimed his arrows at the targets. The adventure of the archer charging on his horse is brought to life in vivid detail with the Taka (Raised) Maki-e technique. The venerated artisan behind the Namiki Yabusame Limited Edition is Michifumi Kawaguchi 倫史, a certified Traditional Art Craft Master and a member of Kokkokai. [caption id="attachment_3790" align="aligncenter" width="400"] Presentation Box of Namiki Yabusame Limited Edition[/caption] The nib is an 18-karat gold nib with rhodium accents and a superior eye-dropper ink filler. The pen comes beautifully packaged in a box made of Japanese cedar (the same wood also used for the actual Yabusame targets) with a unique lid also showcasing a motif inspired by the Yabusame targets. View  Namiki Yabusame Limited Edition pen at Elephant & Coral or sales@elephant-coral.com for more information.