1994 NAMIKI YUKARI MAKI-E WINGED BIRDS 18K MED NIB FOUNTAIN PEN MINT

For your consideration, we are offering for sale this Circa 1994 Namiki Yukari Maki-e Fountain Pen fitted with an 18K Medium nib in the "Winged Birds" scene. This fountain pen has never been inked and comes in the original wooden box with Namiki Literature, a Namiki Blue Ink Bottle, and the Winged Birds Certificate of Authenticity. I consider this Yukari Fountain Pen to be in Mint Condition.

NOTE: The Winged Birds Yukari Maki-e Fountain Pen that I have here is a very early model with a nib date code of April 1994. This Namiki Winged Birds Fountain Pen has the Maiki-e artwork signed by "Kokkokai," which is a group of Maki-e artisans within Namiki, on the right side of the signature. The left side of the signature is another individual signature, but I am unable to find a reference to which Namiki artist it is - the current/model lis.t of Namiki artists does not display this early signature. The Winged Birds Fountain Pen features the Maki-e techniques, Togidashi-maki-e (burnished Maki-e). The Togidashi-maki-e is a method in which gilded patterns are dried and recoated with Urushi and finally burnished to a high sheen using charcoal — this style of Maki-e dates to the 7th century. The spreading of gold dust on a precise area and to a desired density is a skill that requires great expertise and experience. Namiki developed this lacquering technique in 1925 and has since earned an international reputation for producing the finest Maki-e decorated fountain pens available. The process of handcrafting these fountain pens takes three months or longer to complete. This technique, though painstaking, gives this fountain pen its deep, lustrous sheen and has been used by Namiki craftsmen since the company's inception back in 1918. (The Namiki website provides steps that go into this process here.)

The collective artisans of Namiki, known as Kokkokai, have exquisitely portrayed the Winged Birds scene on the body and cap of the fountain pen. In Japanese culture, winged birds symbolize a range of concepts, including good fortune, longevity, divinity, guidance, and the connection to the afterlife. The red-crowned crane (tsuru) is particularly revered as a symbol of luck and a long life.

The Namiki logo and the NAMIKI name can be seen stamped into the clip. On top of the clip, it is stamped with "Japan". 

The fountain pen displays no wear, chips, cracks, repairs, or any damage of the sort. The pen is in perfect condition. 

The fountain pen features a wonderful 18K/750 nib tuned by the masters at Namiki, assuring long-lasting, impeccable writing performance. The nib iridium tipping measures .82mm when measured with digital calipers - or a Medium nib point. The nib has a date code of B494, or April 1994. The pen has never been inked, and I wanted to keep it this way for the next collector.

This Namiki Yukari Fountain Pen measures 5 5/8" in length when capped. The diameter of the barrel is .46" inches. Weighs 1.08 ounces.

The fountain pen comes in a nice softwood presentation box and includes a Con-70 converter, a bottle of ink, Namiki literature, Namiki Winged Bird Certificate of Authenticity.

This Namiki Winged Bird Fountain Pen is an exquisite display of artistry and craftsmanship. I would consider this Namiki to grade in Mint Condition. This is a very special, high-cachet fountain pen that is ready to write with or just add it to your writing arsenal collection.