For your consideration, we are pleased to offer for sale this 2024 Namiki Limited Edition Yukari Maki-e Fountain Pen, fitted with an 18K Broad nib, featuring the highly coveted “Bumblebee” motif. This exceptional writing instrument is in Mint condition, preserved exactly as issued, and complete with its original presentation box, Namiki documentation, ink bottle, and converter.
This example is Limited Edition No. 221 of only 300 pieces produced worldwide, making it a highly desirable collector’s piece. The maki-e artwork on this pen was created by Kokkokai, the distinguished collective of master maki-e artisans working within Namiki. Their craftsmanship exemplifies the centuries-old Japanese lacquer tradition elevated to its highest form.
The “Bumblebee” design is rendered using the refined Togidashi-Hira Maki-e technique. In this process, layers of colored urushi lacquer are applied and combined with raw lacquer before being delicately dusted with gold powder. Once cured, the surface is carefully polished to reveal the design beneath the lacquer layers, creating a perfectly smooth finish with remarkable depth and luminosity. Achieving the correct placement and density of gold powder requires extraordinary precision and experience. Developed by Namiki in 1925, this technique has helped establish the brand’s global reputation for producing some of the world’s most exquisite maki-e fountain pens. Each pen requires three months or more of meticulous handcrafting, resulting in the deep, lustrous finish that has defined Namiki craftsmanship since the company’s founding in 1918.
The Kokkokai artisans beautifully capture a scene of harmony between bumblebee and flora, inspired by the theme of symbiosis in the natural world. The bumblebee—recognized for its rounded form and soft, pollen-gathering hairs—plays a vital role as a global pollinator and symbol of industrious independence. Surrounding it is Blue Salvia, a flower native to North America celebrated for its vibrant violet-blue blossoms and associations with respect, wisdom, and familial devotion. Its nectar attracts pollinators in a delicate balance of nature, a relationship elegantly reflected in the pen’s artwork. The composition evokes the quiet poetry of a living garden—an enduring reminder of the interconnected beauty of the natural world.
The Kokkokai signature appears discreetly on the barrel (see image 9). The clip is engraved with the Namiki name and logo, while the top of the clip band bears the inscription “24 – 221,” indicating the year of production and individual limited edition number (see image 10).
The pen is fitted with a superb 18K / 750 gold nib, masterfully tuned by Namiki craftsmen to deliver an exceptionally smooth and consistent writing experience. The iridium tipping measures .96mm using digital calipers, corresponding to a Broad point. This pen has never been inked, ensuring its pristine Mint condition. Namiki’s 18K nibs are widely regarded among collectors and enthusiasts as some of the finest gold nibs produced in the world.
The Yukari model measures 5 5/8 inches capped, with a barrel diameter of .46 inches at its widest point and a total weight of 1.13 ounces, offering a refined balance and comfortable presence in hand.
Included with the pen are the limited edition presentation box, CON-70 converter, Namiki ink bottle, official literature, and the limited edition documentation.
With only 300 examples produced worldwide, this discontinued Namiki Limited Edition represents a rare opportunity to acquire a modern masterpiece of Japanese lacquer artistry. Preserved in Mint condition, it is equally suited to be enjoyed as an exceptional writing instrument or treasured as a centerpiece within a distinguished fountain pen collection.
