S.T. Dupont Samurai Limited edition Ligne 2 Lighter

Description

The samurai, (also known as bushi), were Japanese warriors who were the members of the military class. They uses a many type of weapons, such as bows and arrows, spears and guns, but their most famous weapon and their symbol was the sword.

During the Edo Period, the sumurai stood at the top of the official hierarchy of social castes, followed by the farmers, artisans and merchants. There were hierarchies within each caste. All Samurai were forced to live in castle towns and received income from their lords in form of rice. Masterless Samurai were called “ronin” and caused minor troubles.

The samurai devoted their lives to the “bushido”, a strict code that demanded loyalty and dignity until death. They were required to be upright, courageous, good, sincere, respectful and modest, and to maintain control of themselves in all circumstances. Implacable warriors, imagining that they would die in combat in the prime of life, they identified with the fragile and fleeting beauty of the cherry blossom, which falls from the tree before fading.

Combining strength and beauty, the Samurai were magnificent armour which offered protection, as well as symbolising their rank. The colour of their aromur and richness of their helmets were essential. The “mon”, or family crest, was often engraved on the helmet.

Japanese suits of armour were objects of absolute beauty. The craftsmen employed all their talent to create armour and swords (katanas) whose artistry was only equalled by their terrible efficiency. The Samurai believed that each sword sheltered a divine spirit. Even to this day, this myth stands for honour and beauty.

The Samurai were legendary warriors in the service of war lords to whom they owed allegiance. Today, the name “Samurai” still represents honour and beauty.

Year 1615, Osaka Castle fell. The Tokugawa’s last potential rival was eliminated. Japan enjoyed relative peace for about 250 years. As such, the roles and responsibility of samurai decreases, and the importance of martial skills declined. Many of the samurai became bureaucrats, teachers or artists.

In 1868, Japan’s feudal era came to an end, and the samurai class was abolished.

S.T. Dupont Samurai Limited Edition pays homage to the greatness of spirit that sustained these combatants by taking inspiration from the splendour and sophistication of their blades.katana swords

Samurai Limited Edition 888

The very embodiment of strength and finesse, this limited edition is adorned with decorative elements inspired by the swords of these redoubtable warriors. The objects, engraved with a braided motif from the hilt of a katana, are finished with a brilliant midnight blue lacquer.

The blue, which is a recurrent colour in Japanese art, is enhanced with points of deep garnet, which evokes noble blood. The items are also decorated with silver leather lozenges marked with a snakeskin effect to embody the powerful and agile character of the Samurai. A decorative element in metal inspired by the helmets (kaputos) adorns the lighter, and a hilt evoking the swords enhances the pen. Finally, a garnet band faithfully reproduces the knot on the hilt of the katana.

The items are numbered out of 888, a number that is believed to bring good luck in Asia. Like a seal, the crest of a samurai clan (mon) hallmarks each product. These products are entirely made by hand with rare and precious materials, which may, with time and usage, present a natural patina.

• Exceptional precious metal and lacquer artistry intimately links the house of S.T. Dupont with the “Samurai”.

• The silver sword shaped paper cutter has a garnet ribbon on the handle with an engraved Dupont logo.

• The top of the cap is signed with a D at the end of the barrel with the Samurai “mon”.

• The fountain pen’s nib is signed with the crest of the Samurai clan (mon).

 

Trimmed in dark blue with hints of deep red evoking noble blood, the Samurai collection consists of a Ligne 2 lighter, a Néo-Classique Président fountain pen, as well as a Néo-Classique large fountain pen and rollerball.