For your consideration, we are delighted to offer for sale this beautiful 2013 Namiki Yukari “Herb Decoration” Maki-e Fountain Pen, masterfully hand-crafted by the Kokkokai collective of Namiki artisans. Fitted with an 18K solid gold Medium nib, this pen remains in mint, never-inked condition, complete with its original presentation box, Namiki literature, black ink bottle, cartridge, and the original protective sleeve.
The Herb Decoration Yukari exemplifies the timeless harmony between Japanese nature and craftsmanship. The design, created by Namiki’s elite Kokkokai artisans, celebrates the changing seasons of Japan through the graceful depiction of herbs and foliage—long regarded in Japanese culture as symbols of renewal, vitality, and the quiet elegance of life’s natural cycles. Using a combination of Togidashi-Taka Maki-e (burnished-raised maki-e) and Raden (mother-of-pearl inlay), the scene is brought to life with shimmering depth and subtle relief. Each stroke of lacquer, each dusting of gold and abalone shell, is painstakingly applied and polished by hand—the culmination of a process that spans over three months for each individual pen. (The Namiki website provides steps that go into this process here.)
The Togidashi-Maki-e technique, which dates back to Japan’s 7th century, involves coating gilded or lacquered patterns with multiple layers of Urushi (sap lacquer), which are then meticulously burnished to reveal the design beneath. Revived and perfected by Namiki in 1925, this process produces the distinctive deep, glass-like sheen that defines the brand’s finest creations. It is a discipline of patience, precision, and reverence—unchanged for over a century.
The Herb Decoration Yukari bears the Namiki name and logo elegantly engraved into the gold-plated clip, along with the serial number A816 stamped on the top of the clip. Every surface is immaculate, free of wear, cracks, or blemishes—a flawless example of Namiki’s dedication to perfection.
The 18K solid gold nib is a Medium point, with iridium tipping measuring .82 mm, when measuring with digital calipers, and stamped with date code 813 (August 2013). The pen employs a cartridge/converter filling system and includes the Con-70 converter. Measuring 5 5/8 inches when capped, with a barrel diameter of 0.46 inches and a total weight of 1.16 ounces, the pen offers superb balance and writing comfort.
The fountain pen is elegantly housed in a Namiki softwood presentation box, accompanied by Namiki literature, a bottle of black ink, a converter, and a starter cartridge.
The Namiki Yukari Herb Decoration Fountain Pen stands as a triumph of traditional Japanese maki-e artistry, a seamless union of cultural symbolism, natural beauty, and mechanical precision. Its balanced Yukari form makes it ideal for refined daily writing, yet its artistic integrity ensures it will stand as a centerpiece in any fine writing instrument collection. Pristine, untouched, and executed with unparalleled mastery, this Herb Decoration Yukari embodies everything that defines Namiki’s legacy—patience, artistry, and the pursuit of perfection.
