Just received today a parcel from Dr. Kevin
Inside a hughe box, perfect in any sense, protecting the object of desire... a Takumi Kuro Shibori nuri urushi prototype.
Some of us bought prototypes some days ago in this forum. I was one of them and could get the one that I really wanted and liked. In person it is a perfect work performed by Mr. Masayuki Hariya (Yuhaku), a first-line Maki-e artist, which has done also the rest of the Urushi prototypes offered.

Appart from the design, which in my opinion resembles the color pattern of a seal skin, there is a detail which was a surprise to me. It bears a rhodinated (or silver finish) clip which combines perfectly with this pen. The other detail I wanted to comment is that, used to the fantastic Danitrio nibs, this one, an EF is by far the best one I have tried from Danitrio. A real pleasure, EF, ESmoooth...

In a couple of days I will post some photos...

Thanks Kevin (agaaaain)

Oh how I wish those pens were eyedroppers. I would have been tempted to buy all of them. Though that wouldn't have been realistic

Jopen, I got my Kin Botan nuri last week also and it has not left my side since it arrived. I will try to get some pictures this weekend and do a posting. The pen is even more amazing in person and the flexy stub nib will spoil me forever!

CMENICE: Some people use to take the converter away and use them as ED's... (just pushing you a bit... )

JOI: Yes I was sure you had yours already there and this was the reason for your "silence"
I'm enjoing mine just from the beggining and I think that it was well worth the effort. Already used to Kogaku's perfection, Yuhaku fits 100% any expectations with an equally perfect work. Very nice idea to keep now the section with the same Urushi design as the rest of the pen... I'll wait to see your photos!

Yank the converter, run a touch of silicone grease around the threads, and there you have an ED. You wouldn't be the first to do it, nor the last I'm betting.

Yeah, it is soo sad.I was sick this weekend so I relaxed and wrote notes to friends and myself. And stared into space framing the pen turning it in the light.
I carry a BDU pocket organizer (made for cargo pockets of GI pants) with my pens in it. It zips and holds 4 large pens on one side and 5 on the other ( mechanical pencil, Edison Herald red ebonite clipless, Sailor Professional Gear red ebonite, Pilot Custom 823 black, and Pilot Elabo (Falcon)).
The Raw Ebonite next to the TAme-Aka Bokashi-nuri next to the Kin Botan nuri next to the Platinum Koi fill the other side....and they all have different nibs. I rotate through them during the day. I love having this excuse to write notes to co-workers and to myself. Once I find the ink the Kin likes the best, letters will flow out of my house.

If Kevin keeps tempting me, I will have to start scheduling pen visitation time,

Now you have to take new pictures of your pen family!

Nah Joi... waitabit...
The part of the family which is growing due to an acute RSPV infection... which is turning into a chronic one, will have to wait a bit for a new family photo. Now it is in a steep part of the growing curve... in a couple of weeks it will be almost flat again. Let's see, perhaps when Genkai arrives? There are also 4 non-Dani Japanese to join shortly... I like how those people work, the way in which their hands, special taste, imagination and meticulous work turns in our personal pleasure... Sometimes we have to set the "handbrake" but it is difficult not to release it again after some time.
I have been collecting mainly Italian pens before. They are really outstanding pieces of art "in series" but only a few give also the pleasure when in use than ANY of the Japan pens I have and use now. They are designed and crafted to be used, and this is 50% of their pleasure. I think this is one of the main reasons to love them so much.

YOU HAVE A GENKAI COMING???? Tell me about that journey, please! What finish are you getting? What nib? Why a Genkai? See, you are as bad as Kevin! I have been looking at Mikado's and may go for one next. What are the four Japanese pens? I have way to many Pilot pens. And just got a Bamboo that has not been inked yet.

Lucky, lucky person. I have pretty much emptied my want list of pens other than Dani and Nakaya. There is one Pilot, the 845 that I am thinking about, but other than that my mind is turning to a selloff. Once I get the pictures taken. I used to look longingly at the Italians but have always been a student of Zen Lifestyle and these urushi and maki-e pens fit me so much better.

Aha! you are seriously ill my friend Joi!

Yes, I'm waiting for my first Genkai in Tamenuri urushi finish which for me is mandatory. This kind of Urushi has its own life. It will be fitted with a soft F nib, same combination as the Mikado I use everyday. On the other hand, A maki-e Namiki Yukari should be already arriving early next week, as well as 2 Long Piccolos from Nakaya, one Araishu, another Shobo, EF and flex F nibs respectively. One short (standard Piccolo) with flex F nib is in process of ordering, but this one will be a present (Ssshhh...). I like Danitrio style and it fits like custom made into my hands, but I wanted to try a bit other zen relatives...

Your calling me sick! hahahaha
You have great taste. Call me back in two years and I should have a Nakaya. I have not been taken by the Namiki maki-e pens. Now the Sterling Dragon, I may have to get that one day eventhough I don't use the all metal Pilot/Platinums I have now.

Do you collect and use anything else? I have the misfortune of also liking pocket knives, flashlights and custom made pocket tools. This keeps me somewhat out of trouble pen-wise.

Talk to you later, Jopen