Namiki Pens

Maki-e is a traditional Japanese decorative technique in which a design is painted in urushi lacquer and then dusted with fine gold or silver powder before the lacquer hardens, so that the metal sets permanently into the surface. In English, the name translates roughly to “sprinkled picture”. On a Namiki pen, an artist draws the design by hand on a lacquered ebonite or resin body, layering and burnishing for anywhere from several weeks to several months. Each artistic technique creates a different visual result: hira maki-e sits flat, togidashi is polished back until the image is flush with the surface, and taka maki-e is raised into relief, with chinkin (chiseled lines filled with gold) and raden (inlaid mother-of-pearl) used on some lines.

Urushi is the lacquer itself, and maki-e is the decoration applied on top of it. An urushi base is built from many thin coats, each one cured and polished before the next goes on. Some pens stop there, but on a maki-e pen, an artist then paints a motif into that base and sprinkles gold or silver powder into the wet lacquer. A plain urushi Emperor or Yukari Royale gives you the same large body, the same 18K nib, and the same lacquer work as its decorated siblings, without the months of hand-painting, so it is the most affordable way into Namiki's biggest pens.

Our Namiki collections are Nippon Art, Yukari and Yukari Royale, Emperor, Chinkin, and Sterling. Each delivers a special combination of pen size, nib unit, and level of maki-e artwork. Nippon is the smallest and most accessible maki-e line, using the flat hira technique. Yukari is the mid-size line, and Yukari Royale is its bigger sibling, with a larger nib and more elaborate artwork. The Emperor fountain pen is Namiki’s flagship pen, a large eyedropper-filled pen with the biggest nib Namiki makes. Chinkin pens feature gold-inlaid engravings and subtle, colored urushi designs. Complementing the classic styles of the other pens, the Sterling model stands apart for its hand-wrought, solid sterling-silver barrel and cap.

The best place to start is usually the Nippon line, an accessible way into maki-e which retains the elegant, high-quality craftsmanship Namiki is known for. Decorated with the simpler hira (flat) technique and made with a smaller body, the Nippon affords you genuine, hand-applied maki-e and a gold nib at the lowest price point. Collectors who want more presence often move up to Yukari next, a larger pen with a wider choice of designs. There is no wrong first pick here, so let the motif you love most steer your choice!

The difference between the Yukari and Yukari Royale comes down to body size and nib size. The standard Yukari is a mid-size pen with a No.10 nib, while the Yukari Royale is noticeably larger and carries a No. 20 nib. If you want a lighter pen for long writing sessions, go for the standard Yukari, but if you want a heavier feel, the Royale is a great choice.

Namiki pens are expensive because each one is decorated entirely by hand using maki-e or, in the case of the Sterling pen, a handwrought engraving process. Maki-e is a slow craft that can take a single artist anywhere from a few weeks to many months to finish, and the premium materials add up, from the urushi lacquer to the real gold and silver powders to the gold nib. On the most elaborate lines, the pen’s design is the work of one master artist, so you’re paying for the intensive labor and advanced artistic technique. That’s why the more elaborate designs, like raised taka maki-e, cost more than the flatter hira technique.

To care for a Namiki pen's urushi lacquer, wipe it with a soft, dry cloth and keep it out of direct sunlight and heat, both of which can dull or crack the finish over time. Avoid alcohol, solvents, and abrasive cleaners, as urushi is a natural lacquer that can be damaged by harsh chemicals. Store the pen in its box or a padded sleeve when not writing with it, especially for raised taka maki-e, which has a relief vulnerable to chips. Urushi tends to benefit from handling, and the natural, light oils on your hands help to keep it lustrous over time.

Namiki fountain pen nibs are available in fine, medium-fine, medium, and broad, with a nib made of 18K gold on most lines. The size of the nib unit changes by collection, from the No. 10 on the Yukari up to the large No. 50 on the Emperor. Most models are filled with a standard cartridge or converter, though the Emperor uses an eyedropper. As Pilot’s art house, Namiki builds on its sister company’s reputation for nibs that arrive smooth and well-tuned straight out of the box.

The surest way to know a Namiki pen is authentic is to buy it from an authorized dealer. The good news is that Namiki pens bought from us automatically carry the manufacturer's warranty coverage. Namiki Emperor, Yukari Royale, Yukari Collection, and Chinkin pens are unconditionally guaranteed against failures due to faulty materials or workmanship throughout their life with the original owner. The remaining Namiki and premium Pilot pens are covered for 3 years from the date of purchase against mechanical failure. Authentic pens ship with their maker's markings, a signed or numbered element on the higher-end lines, plus the traditional Namiki wood gift box. If resale potential matters to you, favor Namiki’s limited runs and make sure you keep the box, papers, and any numbering intact.