*enters forum clutching case full of European pens*

Um...hi. I'm Feiye and I'm really new to this particular subforum. I spend most of my time lounging in the cozy Italian forum where my Montegrappas, Viscontis and I are very comfortable. We have a great time over there talking about pretty things and drooling over Omas celluloid and whatnot. On other occasions, I spend time in the Writing Instruments arena where my Duponts lord over other pens and my Lamys are quick to enter into conversations while my Caran d'Ache just sits around and preens.

Now recently, some whispers of "urushi" and "maki-e" and "soft nibs" have made their way to my ears and I find myself taking careful, cautious steps into this uncharted territory. I find myself wanting to add one of the pens these whispers speak of to the collection but have no idea where to start! From my initial window shopping experience, I think urushi and maki-e are the two things which set Japanese pens apart from pens of all other regions.

I stumbled across winedoc's site and I'm really drawn to the urushi and maki-e pens he has there. In particular Jopen's brilliant post about this Peacock maki-e from Danitrio has stopped me in my step and made my head spin around (and my bank cry out too!). I've also had a look at Nakaya since so many others on the forum have mentioned getting them custom made with their names on them? This sounds very attractive but the turnaround time is enough to make me cringe and turn the other way.

Are there any other characteristics which set Japanese pens apart? I am looking to purchase my first Japanese pen and I have no idea where to start! I am looking to spend between $250-$500 and am primarily interested in something that exemplifies a Japanese pen. Something that I can show others and say "now THIS is a perfect example of a Japanese pen because..." I am in fact looking for a quintessential Japanese pen. I should add that I am a bit of a gold nib snob and the design of the VP does not particularly appeal to me.

So, where should I begin my search? I am not particularly keen on the Sailor resin pens (to my knowledge they're resin, please correct me if I've been mislead) as they are far too reminiscent of Montblancs (in particular the Pro-Gear). What pens do you think demonstrate Japanese craftsmanship? Help me find that pen that I must have, but whose identity remains yet a mystery!

Nakaya Piccolo in Reddish Black. Typical Japanese. Understated, sublime, beautiful. Great workmanship.

Couldn't agree more. I don't have a Nakaya but this is the one I want!

Me three! Though would like mine clipless

Rick

I will fourth the previous posts.

The Piccolo Kuro-Tame or Aka-Tame models are popular, your wait time will probably only be ~1 month.


Once you have it though, you'll think nothing of ordering another, and another... and even though your designs are now taking 8 months, you just don't care.

Really? I find the 1911 to be MB-ish, but not the ProGear. I guess everyone views them differntly.



Seconded (or fourthed or fifthed, as the case may be). I do not own one yet, but maybe next year....

-Nkk

I have four Nakaya 1 decapod Heki tamenuri 1 decapod aka tamenuri 1 cigar portable midori 1 cigar portable kikyo and 1 long writer shobu and soon will be adding two more known as Housouge; all have japanese fine nibs; they are amazingly beautiful and write like a dream(thanks to John Mottishaw@ nibs.com) These pens are organic, living works of art that II think you will hold close to your heart. I also have danitrio Kara Nuri , sailor king of pens1911s, Dupont Orpheos, and Omas; they are all wonderful pens but my Nakayas bring me warmth. And the wait time is part of the price for an original work of art..You might check out nakaya's web page and nibs.com can be very helpful
Roger

I have definitely been eyeing those Nakaya Piccolo's, in particular in Kurotame. However, I'm located in Australia and I have forbidden myself to use a credit card for fear that I might go crazy so where would be the best place to purchase one of these? If the turnover time is only 1 month, I suppose that's a bearable wait.

+1 for a Nakaya Piccolo Kuro-Tame clipless.

I am currently waiting for mine. It should arrived in the middle of August. To give you an idea of the wait time, mine was 1~2 months. Laura (aka Phthalo) owns a little army of Nakaya pens and has written wonderful reviews of them on the board. But take care... reading them might be dangerous for your purse (I bought mine after reading her review lol).

Nevertheless, if you're located in Australia, I'm afraid the best way to get one of these is to order directly from Nakaya...but maybe Laura will be able to provide you a more accurate answer, since she is also located in Australia.

Cheers!
Shinichiro.

I, too, love my piccolo tamenuri. Were I to purchase another Nakaya (I'm on a 'pen-diet' now, but someday), I will probably opt for a slightly longer Nakaya. Because these pens do not lend themselves to posting (in my opinion), the barrel of the piccolo feels a tad short in my hand--and I'm generally a lover of smallish pens.

--jim

I would definitely go for a Piccolo too ! I'm drooling over this pen

Sorry, I was unable to answer until now because I was still in shock after reading that you do not use a credit card...

If you are serious, I am willing to purchase on your behalf, since I am currently in the midst of ordering another Nakaya myself. I can pay Nakaya and arrange to have the pen delivered directly to you via traceable EMS. Once received and confirmed, you can then pay me any way which suits you.

Please advise.

I'm sure you're not the only one I've sent you a PM.

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone! Well, actually, I should rephrase that: thanks for all pushing me to the Nakaya Piccolo, I feel I'm sinking to the dark side. I'll keep you all updated on my final choice.

I think one of the first things to be aware of is that you probably won't need to hold your breath, wondering if it will be a good writer (something I tend to do with my Italian pens). I have read some exceptions here. Just be sure what you want, since any changes will require that long and expensive trip back to Japan.

I'm sure you already know this, but the nibs will run one size smaller-with the exception of Danitrio. I'm looking at getting of one these, and I have been told that since they are Bock nibs, (as opposed to a company like Nakaya that uses Platinum nibs), they run about like Italian nibs.

The process of ordering a Nakaya is half of the fun, or you'll feel that way after you get it. It is agony while you are waiting for it.

BTW, I think when most people are saying if you order a plain Piccolo, they are talking about getting an in stock model from Mottishaw.

My Piccolo took about 2 and half months from Nakaya, and it was a plain black, with the only addtions being a kanji. They say on their website that this adds 10 days. Contract this with my Tamanuri Decapod that took about 3 1/2 months.

This is definitely a relief as you describe my anxiety about purchasing Italian pens perfectly! Everytime I purchase a Visconti or a Montegrappa, I always keep my fingers crossed that it'll write out of the box. At about 90%, I feel as if I've been lucky. It's comforting to know that Japanese pens have a much higher hit rate.


Oh, I really hope that is the case! But in the meantime, the wait is bound to drive me half crazy! I read on John's site that he doesn't keep these in stock so the wait is still 2-3 months. I am utterly captivated by this pen but I just know that it will be an unbearable wait for it to be completed and frankly I don't know if I'll be able to last!

I think you'll love it. I don't want to be redundant, but in the review that I did on both pens for FPN, I stated that at first I wasn't knocked out by the black Piccolo, due to its perfection, and the fact that it looked like a plastic pen. My admiration grew after I observed how perfectly executed the details were. It is a great, natural little pen to use, and even though I have sold dozens of pens over the last few months and are now down to my last '100' pens, I rarely go more than a week or so without inking one of my two Nakayas..........

By the way (and just a suggestion), spend a couple of extra $$ to get one or two of the extras. For instance, the pen pillows are $20 and $25 for the one or three pen versions (USD), and the Maki-e converter is only ten dollars over the cost of the normal converter.

For a first one, I would choose a Danitrio in Takumi size in the finish that suits your taste, Urushi or Maki-e (many to choose from)... of course with soft nib (I like EF or F) which is a pleasure to use and no need to keep fingers crossed the Italian way!

Australia! I suggest getting in your car and driving over to Laura's house, knocking on the door and asking her, "...got a pen to sell?"

There's two Japanese pens in particular that I crave.

1. Clipless Nakaya Decapod (not the color I want, but you get the idea, photo from nibs.com):


2. DaniTrio Urushi pen in Sakura-Kawa blue, photo from internetpens.net:

I was very close to getting the Sakura-Kawa late last year... but the Fuji-san won out... very beautiful pens, both of them.

I have now my dark wine color Sakura-kawa with me in the pouch and it is a pleasure in every aspect. There is also a leopard proto with it... both with soft EF nibs