thanks for the comments [
]
Fred, I would have used real Uroshi, but could find any Uroshi trees in my neighborhood to make the paint [
] Now that you told me it's posionous, glad I didn't.
Lou, I agree about the metal trim. That is why I kept the vase for me. Most decorated maki-e pens have no trim. I think it looks allot better that way. I wanted another Maki-e pen at the show, but couldn't get myself to cough up the extra money, so I bought the plain ones.
I am ashamed to use the word maki-e in describing these pens. Real artist doing traditional Uroshi painting, can make no mistakes, it is not something you can erase or correct. Makes you really appreciate their talent for painting.