Namiki Maki-e pens are considering the work of art by skilled Japanese artisans. Using the finest materials to create a line of writing instruments that look beautiful and perform flawlessly. The Maki-e lacquering, a centuries-old technique in which multi-layered patterns are drawn on the barrel and cap with urushi - sap from Japanese lacquer. The Namiki collection features 18 karat gold, sterling silver, lacquer or celluloid finishes, executed in styles ranging from the enduring beauty of the Emperor Collection to the intricate designs of the Yukari Collection. Elegantly and artistically crafted, the Yukari Royale Collection of fountain pens captures the beauty and essence of Japanese culture. Featuring a larger pen body than the traditional Yukari Collection, the KINGFISHER design is hand painted using both Togidashi and Taka-maki-e lacquering techniques. All designs are available with a broad 18 karat gold with rhodium accented nib, assuring long lasting, impeccable writing performance. A traditional oriental wood gift box with bottled ink completes the attractive presentation.

Maki-e is Japanese lacquer sprinkled with gold or silver powder as a decoration using a makizutsu or a kebo brush. The technique was developed mainly in the Heian Period (794 -1185) and blossomed in the Edo Period (1603-1868). Maki-e objects were initially designed as household items for court nobles, they soon gained more popularity and were adopted by royal families and military leaders as an indication of power. To create different colors and textures, maki-e artists use a variety of metal powders including gold, silver, copper, brass, lead, aluminum, platinum, pewter, as well as their alloys. Bamboo tubes and soft brushes of various sizes are used for laying powders and drawing fine lines. As it requires highly-skilled craftsmanship to produce a maki-e painting, young artists usually go through many years of training to develop the skills and to ultimately become maki-e masters.

Togidashi technique, a style where the design is painted in lacquer, and gold or silver powder is sprinkled over it; when the lacquer is dry, another coat is applied to the design to fix the powder. Ro-iro-urushi (black lacquer without oil) is then applied over the entire surface, and, after it has dried, it is burnished briefly with charcoal. The final polishing is done with cotton wool soaked with Ki-Urushi (crude Urushi).

Taka maki-e (or "raised maki-e") is one of the three major techniques in maki-e making. Developed in the Muromachi Period (1336 - 1573), the technique of takamakie involves building up design patterns above the surface through a mixture of metal powder, lacquer and charcoal or clay.

Take Maki-e (Raise design) involves 4 different ways to raise designs:-

1) Urushi-age - applies layers of Urushi lacquer to raise the design. This is the most time consuming and expensive way of all

2) Sumi-ko-age – uses charcoal powders to raise design and it is the most commonly used method today

3) Sabi-age – raises design by Sabi, which are wet polish powders mixed with crude Urushi

4)Suzu (tin) Taka Maki-e – a method created by Nagata Yuji which uses baked tin powders to raise design

System: Fountain pen uses converter or cartridge

Nib type: 18K Fine or Broad nib

Conditions: New in box with international warranty and original packaging.