Urushi lacquer is a unique natural material derived from the sap of plants that grow only in East Asian countries. This Urushi is in extremely limited supply. The deciduous Urushi tree takes 15 years to mature. The lacquer is then created by combining the Urushi sap with other substances When applied by hand to the surface of the pen and stored in high humidity, it gradually hardens into a firm, durable, and lustrous finish that is ware proof and resistant to most other materials.
 
This special lacquered surface gives the pen the best possible protection. Urushi is applied in up to 12 successive coatings by the famous Laga aki-e artisan Masatoshi Kobayashi, each of which must fully harden and fry before the next application. The entire process might take up to two months to prepare.