My New Platinum Izumo Yagumonuri (With Lots Of Pictures)

[whichwatch]

I bought my first Nakaya at the recent LA Pen Show and posted a photo essay of its arrival here:

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/261993-my-first-nakaya-and-it-has-an-architect-point/

 

I knew pretty quickly that it wouldn't be my last urushi beauty. What I didn't know was exactly what would happen next. A dealer's email newsletter brought to my attention the Platinum Izumo Yagumonuri. I was thunderstruck by the included pictures. This had to be one of the most beautiful pens I had ever seen!

 

When I initially developed the Nakaya urge, I did some research on Japanese pens. The Maki-e treatments were certainly lovely, but I never found one whose design seemed perfectly right for me. Some seemed too feminine, some were too pronounced a design for my "Boring Traditionalist Club" taste, but none seemed just right. Until I saw the Platinum Izumo Yagumonuri.

 

You know what happened next! A few mouse clicks, a few days wait, and then came the ringing of my doorbell. "Hari317" did a wonderful job of illustrating the unboxing and documenting the packaging and presentation of Platinum's Izumo series. I won't repeat that which he did so well, which you can see at these two links:

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/253070-platinum-izumo-glossy-tagayasan/?hl=%2Bplatinum+%2Bizumo

 

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/217681-platinum-izumo-28-akatame/

 

 

Rather, I'll comment on the unique beauty of the Yagumonuri.

 

http://www.fototime.com/%7B495E92FB-77C1-46F8-8BBC-6CB040BD40BC%7D/origpict/DSCN7533.JPG

 

 

Two things originally attracted me to the pen. First, the gorgeous design just oozed the serenity and beauty of nature that seemed so typically Japanese. The background is a deep deep brown so dark it is almost black. The design features gold, red, and blue liberally sprinkled with gold flecks. According to Platiunum's literature, the design represents "the sea of clouds and the heavens based on a motif of "thick clouds" (Yagumo) as found in the drawing on the ceiling of Izumo Taisha shrine".

 

http://www.fototime.com/%7BF6AC13E1-1DF8-4AA5-8B95-E70DDDADC2F1%7D/origpict/DSCN7534.JPG

 

http://www.fototime.com/%7B3D26FC2D-0F2A-497A-AE16-DD5E850F638E%7D/origpict/DSCN7535.JPG

 

http://www.fototime.com/%7B51C550B7-DB90-41DC-A50F-8D55B0DB1236%7D/origpict/DSCN7536.JPG

 

http://www.fototime.com/%7BF3574F13-94D2-4B65-829C-CDC7420E4B0C%7D/origpict/DSCN7537.JPG

 

http://www.fototime.com/%7B180C2737-CCAB-463D-B536-3A9DB0947660%7D/origpict/DSCN7538.JPG

 

http://www.fototime.com/%7B453212E3-1233-4F3F-A200-82BE41C7E920%7D/origpict/DSCN7540.JPG

 

http://www.fototime.com/%7B4E909760-A24E-4041-9B84-8B7AB0ACB45F%7D/origpict/DSCN7541.JPG

 

 

I don't think my pictures did an adequate job of caprturing the gentle curves of the pen, which is part of the attraction for me. The body of the pen has a very slight concave curve while the cap has a more pronounced convex shape. For those of you who don't remember their high school physics, that means the barrel is an "innie" while the cap is an "outie". Whichever description you prefer, I find the combination of a narrow waist and a bulging top to be really attractive. And before you ladies reading this call me a pig, let me proactively fess up. I yam what I yam. But I really was speaking about the pen.

 

This is a large pen and might not be comfortable for smaller hands, or those that prefer smaller size pens. Here are some comparative photos that show the Yagumonuri next to pens you might recognize.

 

First, a Nakaya Naka-Ai, which is almost as long but is smaller diameter

 

http://www.fototime.com/%7BF4EA83A2-5CEC-4429-AF81-4A499461FD46%7D/origpict/DSCN7542.JPG

 

 

Next, an Omas Paragon, which is much smaller. Remember my comment about "Boring Traditionalist Club" taste? :-)

 

http://www.fototime.com/%7B64F7ED47-4257-4A17-9F33-4C65DAE8C4DC%7D/origpict/DSCN7543.JPG

 

Even a Pelikan M800 is smaller

 

http://www.fototime.com/%7B514466AB-B2ED-4012-9170-4752EB606B46%7D/origpict/DSCN7544.JPG

 

The pen I have which is closest in size is the Edison Collier. These are similar size and diameter, though I find the gentle curves of the Yagumonuri to add a remarkable subtle beauty.

 

http://www.fototime.com/%7B8614E0B8-721D-4CB3-ADBA-F2A2B729B174%7D/origpict/DSCN7545.JPG

 

 

I chose a Broad nib, which as expected writes rather like a European Medium. I'm not sure a first fill produces a representative writing sample, so I'll save that for a future post.

 

I hope you enjoyed seeing my new beauty. Thanks for reading!

[Apprenti]

Wow, that's stunning! What an amazing pen, with amazing attention to detail.

 

That said, your Nakaya's awfully pretty too

 

Joe

[hari317]

lovely! thanks for sharing!

[daintydimsum]

very nice! this has been on my wishlist for awhile now. thank you for sharing.

[VladDracule]

Gorgeous, I want a Maki-e pen, I just struggle with that decision because they are so high ticket. (actually i technically have a maki-e in my Platinum Black tiger, but its a much different feel being all black)

[Crazyorange]

So beautiful. I love the gentle nature of the clouds. It feels relaxing to look at. Thanks for sharing.

[Leftytoo]

In my opinion, the only pen that is in the same "wow" league is the Omas. Both are works of art.

Bob

[dms525]

Oh, my! That is an astonishingly beautiful pen!

 

It engenders feelings more than thoughts, doesn't it?

 

David

[JLS1]

(that is all...)

[shuuemura]

Congrats! What a beautiful pen!

[Lunaray]

Beautiful! Does it write like a Nakaya?

[da vinci]

The art on that pen is incredible. Enjoy

Edited March 22, 2014 by da vinci

[whichwatch]

Beautiful! Does it write like a Nakaya?

 

 

http://www.fototime.com/%7BCF3B9B15-99AE-4681-94C4-7DF7CD2D5A6C%7D/origpict/Scan0001.jpg

[ander75it]

Wow. Just wow. I don't know if I'd ever feel comfortable to use such an art piece.

[perrins57]

VERY nice!

[Mainecoon]

wow, very beautiful this one! Thanks for the pictures. Enjoy writing with it.

[whichwatch]

Thank you, all, for your very nice comments.

[Toll]

Like those whom have written above, I am truly impressed by the beauty of this pen. Amazing! And congratulations.

[rudyhou]

very nice. i'm hoping to get one that comes with iron wood finish. someday.

[rokurinpapa]

Congrats! I chose a M nib.