I've seen the term "urushi" used to refer to a variety of things. Since I see it most in discussions about Japanese pens, I'll put the poll here. Please select which definition(s) you apply to the term "urushi."

Purpose of this poll?

Let's educate, not mock.

I want to find the most common definition of urushi on FPN. The definitions may differ from a biologist's, chemist's or a speaker of another language's point of view (for example).

Do you find any kind mocking in my post? The Montblanc option was just to make sure people are paying attention.

I think you'll find that the multi-purpose word "urushi" is used for many of these definitions. To be exact, it is the Japanese name for Urushiol, the toxic sap from the specific species of lacquer trees known throughout Asia. But the lacquer substance produced from the sap is called "urushi". The technique of applying it to something will be called "urushi" (unless other techniques are employed that overshadow it, like maki-e). And the products coated with them will often be called "urushi" (e.g. "an urushi bowl"). So, in short it can be any of what you provided as options, except for "Montblanc" obviously.

[EDIT: I removed my last comment -- I thought it was a single choice poll.]

Can one not select more than one?

No, I don't think so. I'm pretty sure it's Montblanc.

I've heard it as a description of a pen's surface more than anything else.

K

As MYU states, the term covers all the options, yes, there could possibly be a MB Urushi pen.
But on the FPN I would expect the writer to use it for any writing instrument with an Urushi finish.

I just learned about this a few days ago when I was looking at some Sailor King of Pens, no sorry, drooling over.....

And I was wondering, so why not use this thread as a vehicle for my question:

Ebonite seems to deteriorate when exposed to sunlight (or UV i guess).

Now I wonder: would a Urushis laquer finish protect the ebonite from UV deterioration?


Thanks

D.ick

Hi D.ick,

The urushi can fade faster when exposed to sunlight, so I doubt it would do much as a thin layer to protect ebonite from UV. It is true that many urushi pens have an ebonite core, but the urushi will be layered on thick enough that you'd not even know the pen was made of ebonite just looking at it. However, I have heard about reconditioners that will restore ebonite to like-new appearance, and I'm sure they've got protectives mixed in. In any case, I'd never leave an urushi, hard chased rubber, or ebonite pen outside exposed to sunlight for a long period.

~Gary

Gary,
I will have to check but isn't that the whole reason ebonite pens were covered with lacquer in the first place to prevent the discoloration. Maybe it isn't the light but rather the oxygen that it stopped from reacting.

Maybe someone who has urishi history can expand.

Kurt

It seems like...

Many call the raw sap "urushi" before it is ready to be applied, but most people only call the lacquer "urushi."

What was unexpected is that many also call lacquerware "urushi."

Only a minority use Wikipedia's definition (Japanese name for a lacquer tree).

A few define it as an oil. Perhaps this oil, or perhaps not.

Actually that was The main reason that urushi was first applied to fountain pens. Not as decoration, but as a protective surface.

A long time ago I published an article about this on Pentrace:
http://www.pentrace.net/penbase/Data_Retur...=294&tname=


Stay Well

Dr. Ron Dutcher

Renzhe, from what I know, and it's not a whole lot mind. The word "Urushi" in Kanji or Chinese character 漆 translates into "lacquer" in English.

I'd say it can be used as a standalone noun denoting the entire artistic tradition of lacquer-making, or as an adjective describing things 漆器 that'd gone thru "urushinuri" 漆塗り i.e. laquering process. The oil or raw sap would be 生漆 ?

If you read Japanese or Chinese, I guess internet searches in those languages would probably yield more results. Incidentally, I recall reading that the word "lacquer" is derived from the Hindustani word "lac", which later entered Portuguese as 'lacca' and then English as 'lacquer'.

PS. I voted the Montblanc option just for the hell of it

thought I remembered correcftly!

Kurt

It's what you do when you are late-ie for work-i.

U rush-i

WTF "Montblanc" beat "an oil?"

Thanks Ron and others.

Interesting article, Ron. Seems your website is worth exploring further...

D.ick