Namiki immortalized Japan’s traditional toys and games in the latest Nippon Art collection. The master lacquerers at Namiki bring this lovely collection to life in Hira-maki-e, a technique involving metallic and colored powders hand-applied onto the rich black resin pen barrels. The Toys and Games series includes four colorful designs namely the Hagoita (paddles) the wooden paddles used to play the Hanetsuki game at New Year’s to bring good luck and a cascade of elegant cherry blossoms. Kendama (drum), the wooden cup-and-ball toy, is centered on other traditional toys such as the bamboo helicopter and spinning drum; the Daruma or Dharma Doll is a beloved symbol of good luck and a game of skill using a wooden hammer to knock rings below the Daruma figure without letting it fall. The doll is pictured with floating paper balloons. The Koma (spinning top) has multi-colored spinning tops rich in cultural history and bountiful designs shown with kites moving through the clouds.
Here we have just received the Namiki Kingfisher in the Yukari Royale size. The Yukari Royale is a larger version of the normal Yukari pen. Elegantly and artistically crafted, the Yukari Royale Collection of fountain pens captures the beauty and essence of Japanese culture. Featuring designs that are hand painted using both Togidashi and Taka-maki-e lacquering techniques. This lovely fountain pen come with an 18 karat gold with rhodium accented nib, assuring long lasting, impeccable writing performance. A traditional oriental wood gift box completes the attractive presentation. Check out these beautiful pictures taken from our Olympus camera.
We received 2 pieces of Namiki Yukari Makie fountain pens and took lots of pictures for this blog. The Yukari Moonlight Raden displayed the beautifully crafted mother of pearl finish. Each piece of shell is applied individually and burnished after fixing the entire covering in place with Urushi lacquer.
Yukari Turtle uses the Togidashi Hira Makie technique creating a beautiful picture. It depicts the turtle which represents longevity.
The Namiki Nippon Art Origami series was launched during the Fall 2009 and it is the latest edition of Makie pens highlighting the authentic Japanese handicraft, the Origami. It derives from the Japanese word ORU meaning “folding”, and KAMI meaning “paper” is the traditional Japanese art of paper folding. Once again in the series, Namiki have immortalized the Origami Art in its Makie pens and they have a selection of different motives that goes along with it. These design a very different from the conventional fine art which very often depicts perfect images. In the edition, you will find abstract images of Crane, Rabbit, Goldfish and Helmet but they are all in Origami style.
The Origami Makie pens are certainly fresh in design and I think maybe in the very near future, the makie pen makers will immortalize abstract art pieces by artist such as Picasso or Van Gogh. Once again, check out these pictures and they are available now at our website
The Namiki Chinkin Emperor Tiger is the latest edition to the collection and once again the beautiful piece is on a flat top pen. The work of Chinkin displays the experience and mental discipline attained by the craftsman. The image is developed by precise carving design filled with precious gold powder.
We have recently received the Namiki Emperor Gold Fish Makie fountain pen. This is one of the latest additions to its current Emperor Range of pens. The fountain pen come with a flat top cap and the gold fishes are beautifully depicted in the surface of the entire pen using the charcoal burnished Togidashi-maki-e technique, the Emperor Collection represents the pen maker’s art at its finest. Exquisite interpretations of traditional Japanese designs, it is hand painted in gold, lacquer and vibrant color pigments master artist. We took several detail pictures of this piece and you will see the gold fishes are very lively and has 3 dimensional effects on the surface of the pen. Enjoy
I find that the Namiki Yukari Swallow with Cherry Blossom design is intricate and harmonious as it is carefully produced using the Togidashi-Taka Maki-e (Burnished Raised Maki-e). This piece arrived a few days ago and I thought it would be nice to take a few shots just to share on this blog. Enjoy these pictures!
Namiki Nippon Art collection is the entry range to the maki-e pens. It uses the Hira Makie technique and is the simplest method of all as it needs the least time to complete. Hira Maki-e technique is a flat lacquer decoration with no relief. The powdered metals are sprinkled onto the surface while the coating is still wet. Then another coating is applied. At the end, the surface is polished flat. But one is not allowed to make any mistake as they cannot be repaired because the designs are drawn with E-urushi (colored urushi) on the surface. The Namiki Nippon Art pens are simple with beautiful pictures that tell better than a thousand words….
These pens are available in our website and you may check them out in the Namiki Nippon Art range.
