The standard mountain cherry scroll
Our products are made in Japan using warm, high-quality wood materials.
Of the many varieties, Kakimori first chose mountain cherry. In 2021, Kakimori began making wooden writing tools when he worked with designer Makoto Koizumi to create a dip pen body, pen rest, and ink cap.
The pen barrels that Koizumi created are simple and timeless, and make you want to use them for a long time. Since their release, they have been passed on to many people all over the world. Thus, the Yamazakura pen barrel has become a standard item for "fun writing tools."
Made from furniture scraps
"What if I tried making this design using a different wood species?"
Because mountain cherry trunks have become so familiar to us, we naturally wanted to add to our lineup using other woods to add new color.
When I shared this idea with Mr. Koizumi, he suggested that we create new items using the scraps that come out of making furniture, saying, "Small scraps that can't be used for furniture might be usable for stationery."
Since the action of writing requires the support of furniture such as a desk or chair, I found the idea of using furniture scraps very appealing. I also heard that a furniture store with close ties to Mr. Koizumi had some surplus walnut scraps.
Walnut is a broad-leaved tree of the Juglandaceae family. It is often used for furniture, but despite its popularity, it is a rare and valuable tree species because it grows slowly. Its deep brown color, when compared to mountain cherry, which has a bright reddish and whitish color, makes for a visually rich lineup, so we decided to introduce it right away.
Connect with the creators
Koizumi-san introduced us to Wakaba Furniture, a manufacturer with whom he has had a long-standing relationship. Founded in 1974, Wakaba Furniture is a long-established furniture store in Fuchu City, Hiroshima Prefecture, a famous furniture production area known for its "Fuchu Furniture" products for many years. Our staff actually visited the store and took a look around.
The Wakaba Furniture showroom has a display of Fuchu furniture.
Mr. Inoue, the president of Wakaba Furniture, kindly guided us around.
At Wakaba Furniture, when making large furniture such as tables and sofas, the leftover pieces become scraps, and even small scraps are produced from items such as Buddhist altar fittings with intricate decorations. Most of these scraps have been discarded until now.
Wakaba Furniture will cut the pen holder to the specified size so that it is easy to make. The only thing they don't usually do is provide the materials.
The scrolls are then finished by Nakamura, also located in Hiroshima Prefecture, who is the company I always use to make my scrolls. I've been working with them since I started making mountain cherry scrolls (you can read the article from back then here ). They use their knowledge of the material and their high level of skill to carefully craft each scroll.
Manufacturing that recycles materials
Thus, based on Koizumi's idea, Wakaba Furniture, Nakamura and I made a dip pen case out of scraps of walnut wood that we had been sent. It is characterized by having many knots, and the occasional knots and the rich expression of each piece are similar to mountain cherry wood, making it a typical Kakimori tool. Over time, it will turn a slightly lighter brown, so you can enjoy the changes that occur over time.
This was the first time for Kakimori to use scrap wood. In addition to the joy of adding depth to the lineup of dip pens, we were also pleased to be able to make use of materials that had no other use in the past.
Koizumi-san has opened up new possibilities for encounters with new wood and its makers. I hope that, just as the wild cherry tree trunks do, they will support the writing of many people.
