The Philosophy (Tao) of Pens

[MYU]

The pen rests in hand

 

Eager to kiss the paper

 

Words it will whisper

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(my attempt at a Haiku)

/:)

Edited January 5, 2007 by MYU

[Nimrud]

Going back to the Tao of Pens, I find it interesting that the focus of Collecting is on the history of pens, and that history emphasises brand and reveals value.

 

What about beauty and aesthetics?

[lecorbusier]

We have a haiku poet on board!! Do you like Basho?

 

I see beauty and aesthetics as slightly different phenomenologies. While beauty can be commonly understood and explicitly shared (like the beauty of a Zhang Daqian's painting or a lovely sunset), aesthetics is conveyed through the subjective, personal experience. If so, then one of beauty manifestations lies in the history of the pen, and within this history, the materialistic philosophy and craftsmanship of its maker. So to practice collectorship is at the same time a way of appraising the beauty of this collection through its history.

 

But aesthetics is different. It lies in the use and experience of pen collection. There are many collectors, but possibly not everyone feels the aesthetics of the collectorship experience (like the kid who collects pebbles and shells-me long time ago). This aesthetics often includes understanding how the object comes about (we see this in watch collection where it is still possible to talk to watch-makers, perhaps less for pens nowadays), and how it relates to other pieces in the collection. As it is, even with 2 artifacts-the minimum for collection to be meaningful-this aesthetics can be profoundly experienced.

 

So I think collectorship does embrace both beauty and aesthetics in their own different ways.

[MYU]

I must admit I have read only a small fraction of Haiku works. Some of it is really quite beautiful. Unfortunately, there is that aspect of "lost in translation". I find quite a bit of Haiku to appear a little "empty"... where I feel that if I understood Japanese, the writing would have more meaning.

 

Here is a link to some works of Basho:

http://www.haikupoetshut.com/basho1.html

 

This is a great thread...

I also look at a pen for its outright beauty, then into the aesthetics--what is it about the pen that makes it beautiful? And how design can weigh in even more to affect beauty than ornamentation (too much ornamentation can lead to gaudy, like diamond studded watches). I agree that knowing the history gives greater weight to the aesthetics as well.

 

For example, you see the Parker 51 with it's miniscule nib cowering under a hood, while other nibs (like Mont Blanc) parade themselves overtly in two-tone precious metal glory. Yet, the Parker 51 is still a pen of beauty in its own right. Its simplicity gives way to phenomenal function. And then one can't help but appreciates the graceful taper of the Parker 51 nib section. A hint of smooth aerodynamic flow. The promise of a well designed future. And then there's the historical legacy... the Parker 51 pen has served countless millions ever faithfully. "Writer's best friend."

[lecorbusier]

We were forced to recite 8a on the link you posted for a while. I can still remember those classes.

 

I think you are quite right about the difference once it gets translated. The intonations of the various phonetics (the 'music') in the japanese language is lost. The other loss is the non-replaceability of the words used. Furuikeya and old pond are just quite different...

 

Yes, the MB belongs to more of an old-world aristocracy paradigm and the Parker 51 does have the sort of streamlined, no-frill optimism of that period in american history.

 

What do you think a wabi-sabi pen is like? I thought a particular Nakaya pen with the special powdered Maki-e process would qualify for the beginning of a wabi-sabi aesthetics.

[MYU]

That's very interesting--I had not considered the musical intonations of the Japanese language. So, much there is to Haiku that English only speaking people will never know.

 

Hanging my head low

Little I know of Wabi-Sabi

I search the Google

 

As such, I can only defer to your expertise... A Maki-e Nakaya would be a beautiful Haiku writer nevertheless.

 

I now feel the urge to sip Maccha Green tea.

Edited January 8, 2007 by MYU