REVIEW: Nakaya Ishi-me Kanshitsu, Green

[QM2]

http://queenmargot.com/ishime1.jpg

 

Nakaya Ishi-me Kanshitsu

Portable Cigar, Green

 

The Ishi-me Kanshitsu is one of the most unique finishes Nakaya has to offer. I received this pen in April, and the shock of

seeing it, once removed from the kimono, has not completely subsided.

 

http://queenmargot.com/ishime2.jpg

 

Looks and Design: Texture

 

Ishi-me Kanshitsu means "stone finish", and Nakaya executes this with amazing realism. In its closed state, the pen looks

like an unusually shaped stone. The texture is so visually convincing, that only the green colour prevented it from blending

in with the rocks and pebbles on which I placed it for comparison.

 

On its website, Nakaya states that it achieves the "stone finish" effect by layering urushi powders onto the body to create

a grainy texture, then covering it with layers of pigment and lacquer. At pen shows, I have handled two different types of

Ishi-me pens: One where there was visual texture, but tactile smoothness, and another whether the texture is both visual

and tactile. Mine is the latter. The surface of the pen does not just look like a stone, but feels like one as well -- a delicate

stone that has been gently washed by centuries of ocean waves. The surface is distinctly textured, yet gentle to the touch.

 

http://queenmargot.com/ishime5.jpg

 

Looks and Design: Colour

 

One aspect that attracted me specifically to this pen, is the unusual green colour. It is as difficult to capture on camera as it

is to describe. Mainly, this is because there are at least three shades of green existing next to each other, but unblended, to

create an even stronger sense of texture and depth.

 

The finish layers at least 3 shades of colour: a blue-green, a deep forest green, and a light olive/grass green. There are also

the tiniest specs of black, silver, and red dispersed throughout the surface. The overall effect is a silver pine colour in some

lighting conditions, and a dark moss in others. The effect is organic and ethereal all at once.

 

http://queenmargot.com/ishime4.jpg

 

Size, Weight, Comfort

 

The Portable model is ergonomic and its proportions are well suited for most hands. It is nearly identical bot in size and in

overall form to the Montblanc Meisterstueck 146, which is a classic shape/size combination that many users find comfortable

and many pen manufacturers emulate. Being made of ebonite, the pen is light-weight -- but a touch heavier than smooth

urushi Nakayas, due to the extra powder sculpted onto the body.

 

The biggest contributing factor to the comfort of this pen is the ishi-me texture on the gripping section: It prevents the fingers

from slipping while gently massaging them. I love the feeling of holding it. The ishi-me is more comfortable than my smooth-

finished Decapod and Piccolo, especially for long writing sessions.

 

Filling System

 

Cartridge/converter only, with an option of Nakaya's special goldfish converter (decorated with maki-e goldfish). Note that

Nakaya takes Platinum converters and cartridges.

 

Nib

 

The stiff, single-tone gold nib has been ground to a .5mm cursive italic by John Mottishaw, which is mmmm-mmm smooth,

with wonderful line variation. See this post for a writing sample. Initially I had filled the Ishi-me with Montblanc Racing Green,

but then changed my mind and tried it with Diamine Umber. That was a match made in heaven, and so the Umber will be

this pen's signature ink.

 

http://queenmargot.com/ishime6.jpg

 

Ordering Process, Costs, Logistics

 

I ordered my pen via John Mottishaw. It was delivered to me 3 months after I placed the order. This included botht he time

it took Nakaya to make the pen, and the time it took John to italicize the nib. The price is the same, regardless of whether

you order from Nakaya directly or through Mottishaw. The nib italicization costs extra, and can only be done when ordering

via John. Out of my three Nakaya pens, one was ordered from Nakaya directly and two from Mottishaw. I prefer doing the

latter, but this is a subjective opinion.

 

Conclusions

 

This is one of the most unusual pens of the many I own. I had been attracted to it ever since I first saw it on Nakaya's website

2 years ago, but was unsure how I would react to it "in person". Happily, my expectations were exceeded. The remarkable

stone finish, the deep, rich, multi-layered green colour, and the superb italic nib, make this a prized possession among prized

possessions. See this post for more images of the glorious Ishi-me.

 

http://queenmargot.com/ishime3.jpg

Edited June 12, 2009 by QM2

[FrankB]

Another QM2 review (read - well done). Thank you.

 

I love pens with texture. The tactile feel of a pen enhances the writing experience for me. This pen looks like a winner. And I can see why you were drawn to the color. I do not discern color well, so I have no vocabulary to describe it, except that it is pretty.

 

I also like italic nibs. I think a nib should be rigid to be able to take advantage of the italic cut of the nib. Your writing sample looks like you have a terrific example of an italic nib.

 

Congrats, and thanks for sharing.

Edited June 12, 2009 by FrankB

[troglokev]

姥桜　さくや老後の　思ひ出 (Basho)

 

Nice review, as always QM2. I've been looking forward to this one ever since you posted the teaser in the Japanese pens forum.

Edited June 12, 2009 by troglokev

[Phthalo]

The nib looks great!

 

I definitely couldn't imagine anything else except Diamine Umber in a pen with this colouring... it's perfectly suited.

 

Lovely!

[QM2]

Thanks!

 

I have found that Nakaya rigid nibs are perfect for italic regrinding. Both this one and my Decapod are such easy cursives, with just the right balance of give and rigidity. I am also liking the elastic on my Piccolo more and more with time. I think my next Nakaya will have some sort of flex nib again.

[MYU]

Beautiful, just beautiful... it reminds me of how badly I need to get a Nakaya.

 

Thanks for the stellar review (as always), QM2.

 

~Gary

Edited June 13, 2009 by MYU

[Brian]

Wow. What a beautiful pen. Congratulations. Hope you have many years of enjoyment.

[sallywally]

Thanks!

 

I have found that Nakaya rigid nibs are perfect for italic regrinding. Both this one and my Decapod are such easy cursives, with just the right balance of give and rigidity. I am also liking the elastic on my Piccolo more and more with time. I think my next Nakaya will have some sort of flex nib again.

A gorgeous pen! I'm looking forward to receiving my second Nakaya, a long cigar heki Ascending Dragon. It has been three months since I ordered it...sigh! But patience is a good trait for a Japanese pen to engender in the user

 

Did you get your Piccolo from Mottishaw? My initial Nakaya, a heki Piccolo, came through him, and I ordered the Dragon through nibs.com also. I only wondered because I understand he isn't crazy about the elastic nib. I find the plain black Piccolos very appealing.

 

My writing is quite small and I need a very fine nib; I think the Dragon will have an XXF Nakaya nib.

[QM2]

Thank you all for the comments!

 

sallywally: The Piccolo was my first Nakaya and I bought it directly from Japan. You are right that Mottishaw does not recommend the elastic nib. Mine had flow issues, until he adjusted it for me at a pen show.

 

You can read about this pen here:

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=80578

 

My Piccolo is the Kuro-Tamenuri, with my name written in platinum maki-e. It looks spectacular.

[Diamondback]

Great review QM2. I must also compliment you on your photographic and image composition skills. Always something to look forward to.

 

Mark

[dannyboy]

What a marvelous pen and a review that does the pen justice! Thank you! And now I've added this pen to my want list. John Mottishaw and staff are quite simply the best in the business. John has customized several nibs for me, including one on my Nakaya Piccolo Shu. Superb!!!!

[QM2]

Thanks! The pen photography took some time to figure out, but finally I have a system going. I recieved the pen right during cherry blossom season in Boston, so I used that as an opportunity to take some outdoor shots!

[montblancdude]

Great... now I want to run over and touch your pen. :roflmho:

 

Seriously, great review, QM2. It is a gorgeous pen and you seem to really enjoy it. The fact that it really represents what its supposed to is very attractive!

[QM2]

Great... now I want to run over and touch your pen.

That's the feeling it gave me as soon as I saw a photo of it 2 years ago!

The texture is so visually rich, that I can feel it on my fingers just by looking at it.

[R.ticle One]

That finish is ridiculously attractive; I wish I could feel it in real life, but alas, my wallet doesn't allow me the option! Maybe some day...

 

Enjoy your pen! Great review.

[greencobra]

Just catching up here, missed this while I was "out". Beautiful pen, like MYU, I need one of these too and I'm being pushed over the edge with these photos. Well done and congrats on the pen!

[alvarez57]

I just find that I can't be impartial towards the Nakayas, I own one and it is THE favorite amongst favorites. Even if I'm not to excited about the finish, yet I cannot say it's not a beautiful work. I know you will enjoy it.

[Fallen Star]

That finish is delicious.

It looks like a bubble gum ball.