I appreciate you saying that “expensive is relative”, Daisy! People who are unfamiliar with fountain pens see my collection and think my Twsbi pens are expensive. 😅 I show them pictures of my dream Namiki with the peonies on it and they get the message. They’re so pretty to look at and even more so when you find out how much love and handcraft goes into making them.
Oh! I stand so corrected! I used to wonder why these pens were so much more expensive than the holy grail of holy grail of fountain pens, the Montblanc, now I understand and I am in awe! Amazing video, the Namiki and his great artisans got a new admirer in me! 😃
The urushi vermillion red for me is the most awesome colour :) .. I am so happy that there are still living artists and artisans in the World who are capable of creating these wonders .. thank you both for shining some light into this :)
I absolutely love the very thorough and detailed history that you present on your products. You did a similar historical research on the Pilot Vanishing Point a month ago. You are amazing, articulate, and very well versed.
Fascinating look at some beautiful pens, and while I've enjoyed Namiki pens for quite a while I learned a lot about the different techniques. Thank you for doing this!
I'm in the process of researching namiki pens for my next purchase and this is hands down one of the best guide videos on namiki pens and the techniques used. Right now...At first I really liked the chinkin cranes but now the cat is winning me over.
Thank you for showing us Yoseka’s beautiful collection of Namiki pens and for running us through Namiki’s line up. Another aspect that sets the #50 sized pens to the other series, is the use of the eye dropper (Inki-dome) system versus a CC converter for the others. The #50 holds a TON of ink, and I like how the wetness of the #50’ nib could be adjusted by how much the valve is opened. Great for flying ! Also, the workmanship is just so precise, that you will not see the space separating the knob with the rest of the pen body - for the #50 Urushi, #50 chinkin or the Emperor. When the valve is shut, the Makie / Chinkin artwork lines up perfectly. And the feed for the #50 is lacquered either in vermillion or black urushi. I like that these pens are usable works of art that will quite likely survive me, and my descendants, provided they’re stored away from sunlight /UV lighting.
Thank you so much for watching and sharing your experience with the Emperors! We hope to add more to our collection of offerings soon and be able to observe all those details for ourselves in person on these pens.
Thank you for taking the time and effort in doing this video, Daisy and Amy! If you guys do stock the “Goldfish”, the Makie technique used is called Shishiai Togidashi Nakie - and it’s a combination of the Taka Makie and Togidashi Makie. The result is just so 3 dimensional and ethereal.
What an amazing line of pens. Thanks for showcasing them all. I got an Urushi #50 in Japan last year and love it so much, i bought another not too long after. One of them is in daily use. It's a perfect pen for me - despite its ridiculous size! :)
The raised maki-e is very neat, and the pen that blew my mind when I held it is the Yukari Rock Garden. The rocks are three dimensional. You can FEEL them. It's unlike anything I've ever held.
You are correct in regards to colour :) you do get some abalone which shifts to certain colours.What's particularly interesting about abalone, is the fact it will change colour based on the diet of the molusk!
It’s hard for me to imagine ever having that amount of disposable income to spend on a fountain pen… but if I ever do I absolutely will. They are such stunning works that would be so special to get to interact with on a regular basis.
I adore the cat one. 4K I think...someday I will purchase one or one similar. Some high end phono ctartridges in the hifi world are finished in Urushi too.
Daisy, I applaud your choice of Twisbi as a lead brand. I think my small collection (either 4 or 5, I actually forget) of Twisbi pens are still pens I often use . I won a very expensive Scribo Feel, and it does write like a dream with its 18K nib tuned to be soft and bouncy. But I am afraid to lose it or damage it, so I seldom use it. I find that true of my very best pens. However, I rate the Twisbi fountain pens as some of the best every day use pens, because they also write very well, allowed me an opportunity to see how a vac-filler or piston filler actually worked. They are also easy to clean, and gave me the confidence to disassemble and clean fully. (I actually do not do that often, because I think it is not best for long-term pen life. I tend just to use the same ink in most (hence 4 or 5 Twisbi pens) and flush them fairly well if they have gone unusual for any time at all. I do have some urushi pens that are fairly expensive; however, all my Maki-e fountain pens are entry level or use a technique less demanding than the pens of true artisans. It reminds me of when (as a much younger man) I visited Taiwan, Okinawa, Mainland China, and Japan. Of course, I brought back a lacquered jewelry box with maki-e for my mother. When she died, it meant little to my wife, so I am not sure where it is now. (In her defense, I think a house guest’s child broke it, as she did some other items I brought back. (A 2-year old left alone in the bedroom can destroy a lot of thinks regather quickly. :). Point: those Namiki Emperors (and other top-end Namiki fountain pens) are works of art. Unless a purchaser is so rich and self-indulged that money does not matter, they are seldom actually used to write with. Many have never been inked. A typical purchaser will buy one or a whole set (the Japanese gods set goes for what? $100,00!) These are investments in art, which are typically placed in a glass cabinet, perhaps with a rotating stand inside. The pen will be protected from sunlight, but it will havd a spot light that can be turned on. It is a work of art that will go up in value as art. I neither have the money to play in that playground, nor do I have the expertise or savvy to manage an art collection. Even in the New York City area or Los Angeles (I live about 50 miles from downtown L.A., there are those who do know how to manage such investments. I am from a farm town of 700 people in rural Souther Ilinois, so the idea of investing tens of thousands of dollars (let alone hundreds of thousands) causes me to see an old farmer listing to this scenario and saying, “Some people are just so rich that they have no common sense whatsoever.” Amen. THANKS FOR THE REVIEW. For those who can afford the best, enjoy! Writing with a top-end Namiki (for me, even the Pilot Custom Urushi 845) or Sailor KOP is joy enough! (I feel a little guilty that I “invested’ in those pens :). By the way, I did not realize the 845 was a little bigger than the Pro Gear KOP until you pointed that out! I measured mine last night, and (of course) you were absolutely right. Blessings for your business and blog.
The thing I appreciate about Japanese manufacturing is that they'll make a product from straight up affordable to ultra lux, and you can depend on them no matter where they fall on the price scale. Unlike many European makers who segment the market. Brands like Pilot, Seiko, Toyota for example, not only manufacture for that range, but also are proud and promote through their brands.
@@SnakebitSTI Not sure to what your question addresses; the range of products or Toyota? Many Japanese companies have an 'affordable' product range, 'luxury' range and in some cases, 'ultra luxury' range. They don't bisect the market. You can depend on the product no matter when the product falls on that range, and they promote through those ranges. In the cases where European manufacturers also have multiple product ranges you rarely know of the 'affordable and lux' brands are connected. In the cases of American manufacturers well the jokes are well known.
@@ironmic9244 Toyota bisects the market between the Toyota brand on the lower end and the Lexus brand on the higher end. Lexus marketing in the US does not reference Toyota. Honda does the same with the Acura brand. Nissan does it with Infiniti.
This was very well done on the Namiki Fountain pens ~ 👍. There is lots to know behind why they cost more, and are so beautiful. I can honestly say my Namiki Yukari Royale Urushi Fountain Pen - Black, is not my favorite fountain pen, it’s #2. Simply because of its weight, it’s just a tad too heavy. Writes wonderfully, smooth, no pressure, writes immediately even if I haven’t used it in months. It is a joy to behold, really, an amazing look for just a black fountain pen! Thanks for the video, nicely done. I do like the Chinkin Cat Fountain pen, but that one is out of my price range … . ☹️🤔
The funny thing about doing urushi on fountain pens, urushi hates UV light. So ultimately, it doesn’t protect the pen from being displayed in shop windows :)) Just a little note, the vermillion and black pens are not designated as Yukari Royale or emperor. Just urushi 50 and 20. The aforementioned designations are reserved for the maki-e versions. 😊
Ooooh thank you Andrew! Amy and I did discuss that and wondered why they'd be the same size as other Yukari Royales but not specifically in the collection. Makes sense that those collections are just for maki-e pens.
@@Yoseka to be honest so many people call them emperors or Yukari royals :)) Still, I throughly enjoyed the content :) I’d love to see some Yoseka urushi products!
I would love to get some Namiki maki-e pens, or even raden pens, but I know I would not use them at all. It would definitely be considered by me as art, and I would just put them in a display case.
@@SnakebitSTI LOL. Exactly. I am sure they are not that delicate, but they are so intricate that they feel delicate, and I would hate if something happened to it.
Kokoukai was quite known back then but nowadays rather than identified as artist they are more towards the smith side of the edge. Eventurally I think only a few of their current workers are in the Japan's arts society and even though these few are not known for any art creations.
I wonder what would happen to Namiki as a company if all their (very talented) artists were to die in a freak accident? I have heard that it takes many years to become a very skilled urushi artist and there are a very limited number of people on this planet who can create such magnificent urushi pens.
I looove the vermillion and the shooting star; they're so beautiful. 😭I have their origami rabbit, similar to the pheasant, and it's the smoothest writer I have. Do you know if it's ok to post these pens? I'm scared to! But I've heard they're pretty durable too.
I appreciate you saying that “expensive is relative”, Daisy! People who are unfamiliar with fountain pens see my collection and think my Twsbi pens are expensive. 😅 I show them pictures of my dream Namiki with the peonies on it and they get the message. They’re so pretty to look at and even more so when you find out how much love and handcraft goes into making them.
Oh! I stand so corrected! I used to wonder why these pens were so much more expensive than the holy grail of holy grail of fountain pens, the Montblanc, now I understand and I am in awe! Amazing video, the Namiki and his great artisans got a new admirer in me! 😃
The urushi vermillion red for me is the most awesome colour :) .. I am so happy that there are still living artists and artisans in the World who are capable of creating these wonders .. thank you both for shining some light into this :)
I absolutely love the very thorough and detailed history that you present on your products. You did a similar historical research on the Pilot Vanishing Point a month ago. You are amazing, articulate, and very well versed.
Thank you so much for watching!!
This was an excellent video! Thank you for all of the explanations!
Fascinating look at some beautiful pens, and while I've enjoyed Namiki pens for quite a while I learned a lot about the different techniques. Thank you for doing this!
Extremely interesting and educating - as usual. Thanks a lot for your tireless work ❤
Great presentation with a boatload of information. Thank you for all of your efforts toward educating us.
Thank you for taking the time to share these beautiful pens.
I'm in the process of researching namiki pens for my next purchase and this is hands down one of the best guide videos on namiki pens and the techniques used. Right now...At first I really liked the chinkin cranes but now the cat is winning me over.
Thank you for showing us Yoseka’s beautiful collection of Namiki pens and for running us through Namiki’s line up. Another aspect that sets the #50 sized pens to the other series, is the use of the eye dropper (Inki-dome) system versus a CC converter for the others. The #50 holds a TON of ink, and I like how the wetness of the #50’ nib could be adjusted by how much the valve is opened. Great for flying ! Also, the workmanship is just so precise, that you will not see the space separating the knob with the rest of the pen body - for the #50 Urushi, #50 chinkin or the Emperor. When the valve is shut, the Makie / Chinkin artwork lines up perfectly. And the feed for the #50 is lacquered either in vermillion or black urushi. I like that these pens are usable works of art that will quite likely survive me, and my descendants, provided they’re stored away from sunlight /UV lighting.
Thank you so much for watching and sharing your experience with the Emperors! We hope to add more to our collection of offerings soon and be able to observe all those details for ourselves in person on these pens.
Thank you for taking the time and effort in doing this video, Daisy and Amy! If you guys do stock the “Goldfish”, the Makie technique used is called Shishiai Togidashi Nakie - and it’s a combination of the Taka Makie and Togidashi Makie. The result is just so 3 dimensional and ethereal.
What an amazing line of pens. Thanks for showcasing them all. I got an Urushi #50 in Japan last year and love it so much, i bought another not too long after. One of them is in daily use. It's a perfect pen for me - despite its ridiculous size! :)
Wow so incredibly interesting & beautiful pens w/gorgeous art.
The raised maki-e is very neat, and the pen that blew my mind when I held it is the Yukari Rock Garden. The rocks are three dimensional. You can FEEL them. It's unlike anything I've ever held.
You are correct in regards to colour :) you do get some abalone which shifts to certain colours.What's particularly interesting about abalone, is the fact it will change colour based on the diet of the molusk!
Beautiful pens. I’ll never be able to afford one but I will admire from afar ❤️
You can find the Nippon Art series for around $550 new and as low as $300-350 used
This was so interesting! The pens are truly works of art. ❤
It’s hard for me to imagine ever having that amount of disposable income to spend on a fountain pen… but if I ever do I absolutely will. They are such stunning works that would be so special to get to interact with on a regular basis.
I adore the cat one. 4K I think...someday I will purchase one or one similar. Some high end phono ctartridges in the hifi world are finished in Urushi too.
Daisy, I applaud your choice of Twisbi as a lead brand. I think my small collection (either 4 or 5, I actually forget) of Twisbi pens are still pens I often use . I won a very expensive Scribo Feel, and it does write like a dream with its 18K nib tuned to be soft and bouncy. But I am afraid to lose it or damage it, so I seldom use it. I find that true of my very best pens. However, I rate the Twisbi fountain pens as some of the best every day use pens, because they also write very well, allowed me an opportunity to see how a vac-filler or piston filler actually worked. They are also easy to clean, and gave me the confidence to disassemble and clean fully. (I actually do not do that often, because I think it is not best for long-term pen life. I tend just to use the same ink in most (hence 4 or 5 Twisbi pens) and flush them fairly well if they have gone unusual for any time at all. I do have some urushi pens that are fairly expensive; however, all my Maki-e fountain pens are entry level or use a technique less demanding than the pens of true artisans. It reminds me of when (as a much younger man) I visited Taiwan, Okinawa, Mainland China, and Japan. Of course, I brought back a lacquered jewelry box with maki-e for my mother. When she died, it meant little to my wife, so I am not sure where it is now. (In her defense, I think a house guest’s child broke it, as she did some other items I brought back. (A 2-year old left alone in the bedroom can destroy a lot of thinks regather quickly. :). Point: those Namiki Emperors (and other top-end Namiki fountain pens) are works of art. Unless a purchaser is so rich and self-indulged that money does not matter, they are seldom actually used to write with. Many have never been inked. A typical purchaser will buy one or a whole set (the Japanese gods set goes for what? $100,00!) These are investments in art, which are typically placed in a glass cabinet, perhaps with a rotating stand inside. The pen will be protected from sunlight, but it will havd a spot light that can be turned on. It is a work of art that will go up in value as art. I neither have the money to play in that playground, nor do I have the expertise or savvy to manage an art collection. Even in the New York City area or Los Angeles (I live about 50 miles from downtown L.A., there are those who do know how to manage such investments. I am from a farm town of 700 people in rural Souther Ilinois, so the idea of investing tens of thousands of dollars (let alone hundreds of thousands) causes me to see an old farmer listing to this scenario and saying, “Some people are just so rich that they have no common sense whatsoever.” Amen. THANKS FOR THE REVIEW. For those who can afford the best, enjoy! Writing with a top-end Namiki (for me, even the Pilot Custom Urushi 845) or Sailor KOP is joy enough! (I feel a little guilty that I “invested’ in those pens :). By the way, I did not realize the 845 was a little bigger than the Pro Gear KOP until you pointed that out! I measured mine last night, and (of course) you were absolutely right. Blessings for your business and blog.
The thing I appreciate about Japanese manufacturing is that they'll make a product from straight up affordable to ultra lux, and you can depend on them no matter where they fall on the price scale. Unlike many European makers who segment the market. Brands like Pilot, Seiko, Toyota for example, not only manufacture for that range, but also are proud and promote through their brands.
So true! Thanks for watching and commenting :)
What do you mean? Toyota has a luxury brand: Lexus.
@@SnakebitSTI Not sure to what your question addresses; the range of products or Toyota? Many Japanese companies have an 'affordable' product range, 'luxury' range and in some cases, 'ultra luxury' range. They don't bisect the market. You can depend on the product no matter when the product falls on that range, and they promote through those ranges.
In the cases where European manufacturers also have multiple product ranges you rarely know of the 'affordable and lux' brands are connected. In the cases of American manufacturers well the jokes are well known.
@@ironmic9244 Toyota bisects the market between the Toyota brand on the lower end and the Lexus brand on the higher end. Lexus marketing in the US does not reference Toyota. Honda does the same with the Acura brand. Nissan does it with Infiniti.
Thank you for this video. I have more appreciation for them.
This was very well done on the Namiki Fountain pens ~ 👍. There is lots to know behind why they cost more, and are so beautiful. I can honestly say my Namiki Yukari Royale Urushi Fountain Pen - Black, is not my favorite fountain pen, it’s #2. Simply because of its weight, it’s just a tad too heavy. Writes wonderfully, smooth, no pressure, writes immediately even if I haven’t used it in months. It is a joy to behold, really, an amazing look for just a black fountain pen! Thanks for the video, nicely done. I do like the Chinkin Cat Fountain pen, but that one is out of my price range … . ☹️🤔
The funny thing about doing urushi on fountain pens, urushi hates UV light. So ultimately, it doesn’t protect the pen from being displayed in shop windows :))
Just a little note, the vermillion and black pens are not designated as Yukari Royale or emperor. Just urushi 50 and 20. The aforementioned designations are reserved for the maki-e versions. 😊
Ooooh thank you Andrew! Amy and I did discuss that and wondered why they'd be the same size as other Yukari Royales but not specifically in the collection. Makes sense that those collections are just for maki-e pens.
@@Yoseka to be honest so many people call them emperors or Yukari royals :))
Still, I throughly enjoyed the content :) I’d love to see some Yoseka urushi products!
I would love to get some Namiki maki-e pens, or even raden pens, but I know I would not use them at all. It would definitely be considered by me as art, and I would just put them in a display case.
My Pilot makie fountain pen already lives in a case! I don't think I could bring myself to use a Namiki.
@@SnakebitSTI LOL. Exactly. I am sure they are not that delicate, but they are so intricate that they feel delicate, and I would hate if something happened to it.
Yeah, I'm worried about scratching or scuffing fancy pens, not breaking them. The pens I actually use all have visible wear and tear.
Kokoukai was quite known back then but nowadays rather than identified as artist they are more towards the smith side of the edge. Eventurally I think only a few of their current workers are in the Japan's arts society and even though these few are not known for any art creations.
also pure colored namiki pen are not hand made nowadays.
Emperor, Aya, Yukari Royale - they all have plastic feeders, right? I wish they wold have ebonite with urushi feeders...
Which technique is used in Pilot's maki-e sei rei (dragon fly pattern)? I know it's less impressive than the ones you showed, but I'm curious!
🖤🖤🖤
What tray is being used to display the pens?
Hi Victor! This is our Yoseka Walnut Pen Tray, which is out of stock online but we have extra stock of in our shop if you're interested :)
I wonder what would happen to Namiki as a company if all their (very talented) artists were to die in a freak accident? I have heard that it takes many years to become a very skilled urushi artist and there are a very limited number of people on this planet who can create such magnificent urushi pens.
I looove the vermillion and the shooting star; they're so beautiful. 😭I have their origami rabbit, similar to the pheasant, and it's the smoothest writer I have. Do you know if it's ok to post these pens? I'm scared to! But I've heard they're pretty durable too.
For whatever it's worth, I post mine but carefully. There's a coating inside the cap that should help avoid problems.
You should be able to post them carefully :)
@@alanshutko Thanks!
@@Yoseka Thank you!
Namiki chinkin each one pen howmuch cost plz tell me madam 🙏
How can we get these pens?Plz give Adress madam 🙏
Hello! 🫴🏻🤌🏻🫴🏻🤌🏻😂 Thanks for the thorough descriptions of the differences among all these beautiful Pilot pens