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Do You Own A Namiki Emperor?

sketchstack

By sketchstack
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sketchstack Extremely Rare

sketchstack

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I'm in the early stages of researching a Namiki acquisition and the black or vermillion Emperor is on my radar.

 

I'm curious if those with experiences can talk about the #50 nib: general impressions, is it very soft or not, and does a "Broad" write like a European nib?

 

Of course any other impressions are welcome!

 

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hari317 Museum Piece

hari317

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I have one B. It writes like a MB B. There is no line variation. The nib is pleasantly supple. There is absolutely no flex.

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jmccarty3 Antique

jmccarty3

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I have the Vermilion #50 (technically, that is the correct term for this pen, rather than "Emperor"). The nib is quite large, but not uncomfortable to write with. It's not flexible or "soft." Mine is relatively wet. The medium nib on my pen writes like a European medium, perhaps a little narrower, so I wouldn't count on the broad being much finer than a European broad. The pen is an absolute joy to look at, to handle, and to write with. The urushi finish is immaculate. Because it is so large, I had a custom Japanese style leather case made for it.

Rationalizing pen and ink purchases since 1967.

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zaddick Donor Pen

zaddick

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I have a Namiki urushi #50 (you need maki-e work before you call it an Emperor) and a Yukari Royale. I have the older style nib on my #50 and would say it has a softness to it. (Mine has text on the nib, not the two tone Mt. Fuji.) For regular use, I think the Yukari Royale with a #20 nib is more pleasurable for longer writing sessions. I use lots of big pens, but the YR has a good combo of weight and thickness to make it a great writer for me. Too bad I can't get any really wide nibs on it.

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sketchstack Extremely Rare

sketchstack

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Thanks for the replies everyone. I have a Pilot Custom Urushi with the #30 nib and it's rather soft and springy, so I was wondering what to expect with the #50 nib --like whether Namiki shares the idea that larger nibs should be soft.

 

The Yukari Royale is on my list as well, but I'm afraid if I get the Yukari Royale then I'll still wonder if I should have just cut to the chase and gotten the flagship.

 

Currently it appears the Vermillion is conspicuously not listed at some online retailers. For example both Goulet and Anderson Pens no longer have a listing for the Vermillion; but they do list the black. I'm not looking to buy right away so that's ok. But I've read that Namiki produces these in batches when the current stock sells out. So maybe that explains the gap.

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Mew Vintage

Mew

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I have the Vermillion one without (edit) rings with FM nib and it is my most used pen. I keep a record of number of pages I write with each of my pen and it has written over 400 A4 pages till now. It's nib is soft, but not for line variation. Just some gentle bounce.

Also have M and B nibs but I don't use them very often.

 

I don't know about US stock situation but it is always available at Itoya, Shousaikan and Maruzen. Even if it isn't available with the retailer in the nib width you want, they can quickly order it from Namiki and it is ready for picking up within a week. They are luxury pens and receive equivalent treatment from the company. The pens are not shipped by Namiki to the retailers and instead hand carried to them by the sales representatives of Namiki.

Edited by Mew
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jchch1950 Antique

jchch1950

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Namiki Emperor pens are art instruments. Very nice to look but not everyday pens because of their size and their price.Writing quality is ok.

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gerigo Vintage

gerigo

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Wow interesting comment. Certainly does NOT apply to me. I constantly carry pens that are even more expensive than the Emperor and use every one of them as daily carries. The only problem I find with the Emperors are that I have to carry it separately from other pens because it's so long.

 

But I DO have a couple cases that can accommodate the Emperor. Ones the Aston 10 pen case. The other is the 4 pen Louis Vuitton case.

 

Namiki Emperor pens are art instruments. Very nice to look but not everyday pens because of their size and their price.Writing quality is ok.

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Drawing61 Extremely Rare

Drawing61

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I have a Vermilion#50 with a broad nib which is, as already observed, much like a European broad. It is a delight to write with and very comfortable to hold. I think for those of us of a certain arthritic age larger pens are easier to manipulate.

Love all, trust a few, do harm to none. Shakespeare

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mongrelnomad Collectors Item

mongrelnomad

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I will let other people speak of the nib, but I will say that owning both, the Yukari Royale is a pen, the Emperor is a ceremonial object.

 

I love them both, but would not hesitate to recommend the Royale first...

Edited by mongrelnomad

Too many pens; too little writing.

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Mew Vintage

Mew

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I will let other people speak of the nib, but I will say that owning both, the Yukari Royale is a pen, the Emperor is a ceremonial object.

 

I love them both, but would not hesitate to recommend the Royale first...

Now I think I may have to buy the Yukari..

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mongrelnomad Collectors Item

mongrelnomad

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Now I think I may have to buy the Yukari..

It's a fabulous pen that surprised me immensely with its quality and character. It is also a bit of a steal relative to its peers (in Japan, at least)...

Too many pens; too little writing.

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sketchstack Extremely Rare

sketchstack

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It's a fabulous pen that surprised me immensely with its quality and character. It is also a bit of a steal relative to its peers (in Japan, at least)...

 

How is the Yukari nib? Do you know if it's similar in feel to the Pilot #15? (I believe they are roughly the same size)

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mongrelnomad Collectors Item

mongrelnomad

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How is the Yukari nib? Do you know if it's similar in feel to the Pilot #15? (I believe they are roughly the same size)

 

Similar in size, different in character. The Yukari's 20 is softer and springier, with some separation of the tines (I wouldn't go so far as to call it flex). It's a much more special-feeling nib...

Too many pens; too little writing.

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Mew Vintage

Mew

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It's a fabulous pen that surprised me immensely with its quality and character. It is also a bit of a steal relative to its peers (in Japan, at least)...

Now you are really tempting me. :P

Indeed it costs slightly lower in Japan. But imo, the extra for the emperor gives a lot more over the Yukari (bigger nib, that massive ink capacity and that rare Japanese eyedropper). So never really looked at the Yukari but now I might have to rethink.

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mongrelnomad Collectors Item

mongrelnomad

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I thought so too, hence why the Emperor came first. But on purchasing the Yukari, I realised that they are very different prospects, thought their looks suggest otherwise. The Yukari is a heavy, solid, well-balanced pen composed almost entirely of brass. It is earthy and dense where the Emperor, despite its comical dimensions, being of ebonite, is ethereal in the hand...

Too many pens; too little writing.

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sketchstack Extremely Rare

sketchstack

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I thought so too, hence why the Emperor came first. But on purchasing the Yukari, I realised that they are very different prospects, thought their looks suggest otherwise. The Yukari is a heavy, solid, well-balanced pen composed almost entirely of brass. It is earthy and dense where the Emperor, despite its comical dimensions, being of ebonite, is ethereal in the hand...

 

You've certainly given me more to think about. It's not unlikely that I'll one day end up with both ...this is more about which one I buy first.

 

What really got me thinking was how much I like the writing of the Pilot Custom Urushi. I've thought a lot about why I like it so much and I believe it's the soft nib and overall length. Writing with the Custom Urushi almost evokes a painterly with my handwriting.

 

So if the Yukari has the softer tines and is well balanced, that may be the clincher right there. Not to mention while I love beautiful fountain pens, I do use my pens and the Yukari seems a little more realistic in that respect.

 

Edit: What nibs widths do you have in the Yukari?

Edited by sketchstack
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Mew Vintage

Mew

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Thank you Mongrelnomad for the comparison between Emperor and Yukari. Definitely considering it now. :)

 

Btw, how did you get an F on Yukari? All I have seen are FM.

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mongrelnomad Collectors Item

mongrelnomad

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It's definitely an F. I asked at Itoya for an FM but they only had F, M and B. The F was fine but forgiving, with a great feel. It was not a difficult decision.

 

I recently forced myself twice into writing exile, trying to make headway on my next novel. Unusually, I only took two pens and two inks: the main writing - all 100 A4 tamoe river pages - was done with the Yukari and Nagasawa 65 (a wonderful red-sheening black ink), with a Conid (filled with Nagasawa 27) on hand for marking-up.

 

It is an exceptional pen.

Edited by mongrelnomad

Too many pens; too little writing.

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