Maki-e is a traditional Japanese crafting technique, where tiny pieces of gold leaf and other materials are inlaid into layers of clear 'urushi' lacquer, to form patterns or pictures. Along with pens made in this traditional style, Platinum also have more affordable pens with 'modern maki-e' finishes, where the image is still inlaid into lacquer layers, but with images made by simpler techniques. Both result in some beautiful traditional Japanese pen styles, which Platinum do so well.
