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The Manu propria Bô Sakuragawa in a medium size arrived ! It is a stunning fountain pen. It looks like a branch and although it is pretty long it feels very comfortable in the hand. Like all urushi pens it has a warm touch and feel. Sakuragawa nuri is an urushi technique called ‘cherry bark lacquer’. This technique imitates the color and surface of a cherry tree bark. In Japan the bark of the cherry tree has been used to decorate objects called "kabazaiku". Utensils like tea caddies, trays but also small furnitures, sword sheets, calligraphy brushes, smoking accessories and more. The tradition is said to be over 200 years old. It is passed on today through artisan workshops in the region. http://www.sakurafountainpengallery.com/nl/boutique/detail/bô-medium-sakuragawa Sincerely, Catherine

Danitrio Sho-Genkai Here is my Danitrio Sho Genkai in the Tame- nuri finish. I managed to get a good price on the Sho-Genkai after purchasing the cheaper Hakkaku model, in Kuro- keshi (matte black) finish, from a US distributer. The Sho-Genkai is the “smaller” version of the big Genkai. Similarly there is a Sho-Hakkaku, which is a smaller version of the big Hakkaku I bought…although this is still nothing in comparison to the size of a Genkai! My original intension was actually to buy the Sho-Hakkaku or short octagon as it is commonly referred, in the Ki-dame (yellow) finish. With a crispy stub nib. I already have four Nakaya’s; the Deskpen, 17mm portable, Piccolo and Deccapod Twist, but the flat- top style of the Danitrio’s always appealed. Of course thay are twice the price of standard- model Nakaya’s. My Sho-Genkai has a firm Fine nib, but it actually writes like a slightly springy Western medium. The Danitrio nibs are made by Bock in Germany, which may explain the “fatness” of the Fine. Contrast this to Nakaya, who’s Fine nib’s are very fine indeed. I managed to snag two of the last remaining Ao- Tamenuri Nakaya’s in the 17mm Portable Cigar with a soft-fine nib with added flex, and a Deccapod Twist with a firm Fine nib. I actually prefer the firm Fine nib as its very wet and smooth with a touch of feedback. Perfect for journalling in my Hobonichi Techo’s Planner I actually find the Fine nib of the Danitrio too broad to use for journalling. The section is also much wider than I’m used to, but the pen still manages to stay light due to its ebonite material. Also important to note is the pen uses an eye- dropper filling system, and has a shut-off valve to control ink- flow. A great idea, but takes some getting used to. Here is the Sho-Genkai with my leather Nakaya pouch. It happens to be an exact fit for it. I used to keep my Nakaya Desk pen in there but it was always rattling around (due to its tapered end and slimmer profile). I do not believe Danitrio make dedicated leather pouches for their pens, but given their quirky shapes and sizes, they probably should. People used to Nakaya pens may expect Danitrio to be similar in terms of nibs and style. However, I find Danitrio to be quite different- far more western. The Tame- nuri finish isn’t quite as slick as Nakaya’s either. Also, Nakaya nibs are typically Asian, on the finer side and with a nice amount of feedback. These German bock nibs remind me more of Pelikan- and this pen did feel similar to the Fine-nibbed Pelikan M1000 I used to have. However, overall I am pleased with this Danitrio purchase and glad I finally got a Genkai, even if it is the smaller one. Unfortuntely, I am now already circling in on my next pen…the long awaited Sho-Hakkaku in Ki-dame finish!

Hello everybody!! Hope you don´t mind, but today I want to brag a bit about my new fountain pen. First, a little story: I live in Brazil, wich is kind of a wilderness in terms of fountain pens. They are very hard to find, and expensive. So I do most of my buying online, and abroad when I have the chance. Last month I went to NY, and took the chance to go to Fountain Pen Hospital ( awesome place, by the way, almost had a nerdgasm! ) And was attended by a really nice guy, I think his name was Jimmy Hutchinson. He almost made me broke. SO,after browsing around the store and drooling quite a lot, I was ready to get to business. I was thinking of buying a Pelikan M1000, but they had only one, in green ( don´t really like it ) and in medium, and it was on display, so didn´t really drive me nuts. So I thought :" Why not a Nakaya?? " And Jimmy showed it to me. It had a really lovely color, but as I picked it up it felt too light, too insubstancial. The nib was the same as in the platinum president, which also struck me as a bit cheap ( Why not make a nib especially for it?? It´s their most expensive pen, isn´t it?) and I didn´t like the threads, in metal and right in the middle of the grip section. I wasn´t very impressed, and didn´t even get to do a writing sample ( please, Nakaya fans, don´t throw tomatoes on me! ). So Jimmy, damn him, said something like: " Well, these are nice, but I have something here that´s light years ahead. Take a look." And showed me the Namiki Urushi Royal in red. I had already seen it in the glass, and thought it looked kinda nice, but waaaaaay overpriced. But as I picked it in my hands I heard me saying "Wooooow..." It was a bit of a shock, really!! IT had Weight, Substance, SOUL!! Impressive, the texture, the weight, the feeling... I don´t know if you believe in that, but japanese people believe that, when an artist makes something truly amazing, he leaves a bit of his soul in it. And I kid you not, I could feel it vibrate with the soul of the maker. Truly a transcendental experience. And I could tell this nib was made exclusevely for this pen, they match so well together!! And the threads are on the section, hardly noticeable. Then, he made me do a writing sample. Damn him. It was simply the lovelyest, brightest, smoothest ride ever!! Butter smooth, a bit of line variation, really soft nib, and the gougeousest (is that a word?) shading I have ever seen!!!! I got hooked!!! Needless to say, I got it. I left the store considerably poorer, but with a silly grin on my face. So, on to the review! Boxing: Really atractive, high end. Comes in a wooden box contained inside a cardboard box. Inside the wood box, on a red velvet lining, rests The Pen and a bottle of namiki ink. Really classy. Construction and quality: 5/5 Amazing, solid, really shiny, impressive. Doesn´t seem to be made by human hands, the urushi looks so regular. But you can immediately feel something, can´t quite explain. If you ever have the chance, take one in your hand, you´ll know what I´m talking about. Also, the clip is inserted as if by magic, it is not cut and threaded like every other fountain pen, it seems to have simply sprout from there!! Filling mechanism: 5/5 Only thing I felt not to be perfect, but actually it´s the con-50, holds a nice amount of ink, and any other filling mechanism would require tampering with the elegant lines of the pen, so I think it really is the best choice here Nib:5/5 Beautiful, perfect proportions with the pen, and has the same air of understated elegance as the pen. It says " Namiki, 18k-750 <M>. It doesn´t need to brag about it´s beauty, but you can feel it. Performance:5/5 Delicious, buttersmooth, cushioned ride. SImply the BEST pen I ever wrote with. Plus that glorious shading!! Just my favourite amount of wetness, and has a little bit of line variation, but it´s not flexible, just soft. Conclusion: 20/20 This has become my favourite pen, the one I would salvage from a fire, a sinking ship or a divorce. Not only it´s unsurpassed in understated beauty, quality, durability, it´s also the best mean of putting ink into paper. It´s quite expensive, but worth every penny. Remember, it´s not a pen you are buying, but a work of art. Well, that´s about it. Hope you enjoy it!! Cheers!!

Does anybody know where the Japanese Urushi Lacquer (seen on pens that have maki-e patterns, or most notably a Nakaya) can be purchased? Or how about methods of making it? I was thinking about taking a Noodler's Nib Creeper and making it into a Nakaya type pen. The clip is easily removed, to get that clean clipless look, and the entire pen can be dissasembled so it should be easy to cover it in the lacquer without hindering mechanical action. Is this even a viable idea? I just really like the look of an Urushi pen, and wanted something that isn't going to cost an arm and a leg (until I proverbially grow some extra limbs). What about color? Will the underlying color show through? I was thinking about buying a red or a black Nib Creeper so the undercolor is nicely matched. Basically I want to go from this: http://www.gouletpens.com/v/vspfiles/photos/N17004-2T.jpg to this: http://rudiphoto.net/img/s3/v39/p967942023.jpg I know my results will vary vastly, but I think it's worth a try to see how it goes. Any input is very much appreciated.

Hello! I am searching for a second hand Namiki emperor or Yukari royale in vermillon lacquer or black lacquer. Does anyone of you have one he might want to sell? Thanks a lot. Jonas

This is not exactly a Japanese pen but it comes close to it. Take a look at these pens, they are really amazing. I had the opportunity to visit Martin at his atelier in Zwitserland and see for myself where he creates his exquiste writing gear. I would appreciate your comments. http://www.sakurafountainpengallery.com/en

Most pen brands can boast a rich history that covers more than a hundred years. “Manu Propria” is a remarkable new brand at the gate of a new era. Only one man, Martin Pauli, is responsible for crafting each single pen. His motto is: 'Handmade from scratch.' Pens with a powerful shape, handcrafted in ebonite, with exquisite urushi lacquer work and 18kt gold nibs. You will be the first to discover them in the Sakura Fountain Pen Gallery. Please welcome, admire and collect your own Manu Propria pens !

Hi all, I'd like to introduce to you the newest addition to my collection... http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d191/cainey77/2V5A8195-Edit_zpsa0b88101.jpg http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d191/cainey77/2V5A8199-Edit_zpsb866057c.jpg http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d191/cainey77/2V5A8214_zps27a1c845.jpg

I've just had a rather surprising performance bonus and big promotion at work, and I want to spend some of it on my first Nakaya (and stick the rest in an investment account like a sensible person). It'll be something very lovely, and very personal, that I can keep for the rest of my life. Most of my pens are vintage, and many of them are engraved; I treasure them, and the thought of commissioning something very special and personalised of my own from a craftsman like the people at Nakaya gives me the chills. I think I'm set on nib choice: I'll be asking John Mottishaw for a soft elastic fine or XF with added flex, if he'll do it (I understand he has strong opinions on the cutouts in the elastic nib). I know what kanji I want on it (kinkou, meaning equilibrium). I know I either want a Milky Way or an Ascending Dragon in the long cigar shape - the Ascending Dragon is winning at the moment by about 70%. I have given this so much thought over the last week that I am having very disturbed dreams about it. But I'm mithering something horrible about which colour of Ascending Dragon I prefer. Part of the problem is that I'm not very clear on how the aka-tamenuri and heki-tamenuri look (and how they compare with one another) once the dragon has "ascended" and is glowing through the translucent lacquer after a few year's use. Thanks to TDL's lovely pictures here, I think I have a reasonable feel for what the blue dragon looks like in the end. But if anyone has pictures of the aka- and heki-tamenuri after the urushi has mellowed, I'd love to see them - and if (unlikely) anyone has pictures of both together I'd be over the moon with gratitude. In the Chinese calendar, I am a fire dragon, so I guess that should push me in the direction of aka-tamenuri; but I am also very drawn to the earthy tones of the heki-tamenuri. Who would have thought that making a decision about something so lovely could be so stressful?

Hi! I don't have any Japanese pens yet, and I'd like to change that! I like shiny, blingy things, and the Pilot/Namiki Vanishing Point in the various Raden designs http://www.gouletpens.com/PN60590_p/pn60590.htm as well as the Platinum Galaxy Maki-e have all caught my eye http://nibs.com/PlatinumMakieGalaxy.html. The third pen I'm eying up is the Platinum Izumo Urushi (in Akatame red) http://nibs.com/Platinum-President-Izumo-Dark-Red.html (While not 'blingy', there is something about this pen that really grabs my attention. A subtle intensity I guess. I would love some input from those with experience with these models (or similar) who can tell me what they like/didn't like about these particular pens, what they would change etc etc. Some extra info: - I have never tried a Vanishing Point, so I don't know if I would like the feel of it, and I'm not sure if I'd like that clip right in the middle there. Does it impede your writing at all? I'm going to be honest, I'm totally going on looks here - I tend to favour big, wet writing Italian pens and I love a smoothy smooth (or at least mostly smooth LOL) with some nice spring in the nib. - I'm going to contact john Mottishaw and seeing what my customization options are for the Galaxy and the Izumo - I'd love to do a Spencerian mod on the Galaxy if that was possible. - I read somewhere that the Urushi coating changes after you have used it for a long time. Can anyone clarify/add to that? Many thanks for all of your help !

Despite I know is not a fountain pen (technically, is a rollerball pen) I wanted to share my last piece of maki-e over a pen. The design is inspired on my trips to Asia.Starting by clouds with rain-drops falling under a dark night sky, the pen is dominated by a Pagoda-like decoration inspired in the Ayutthaya and Angkor Period.The rest of the pen is also decorated with rice fields and pine-trees.Finally, the end of barrel and the metallic rollerball cap are lightly sprinkled with golden powder to resemble both the stars and the reflection of them over water.I hope you like it.

Hello all! I received my Nakaya Neo-standard in Kuro-Tamenuri around 3 weeks back and I noticed that it wasn't as shiny as I had seen in the pictures. The shine isn't as prominent when compared to my other pens such as the Sailor 1911m, Pilot 92 (All black plastic). The Nakaya has a slightly dulled look - is this normal? Does it get shinier as time goes by? One thing I will say though is that I haven't seen any micro-scratches at all on the body - really quite impressive. The Nakaya & the Pilot. Hopefully you can see the pen on the right is shinier. Anyways, does anyone have any experience or advice about how would I go about polishing the urushi properly if that was at all possible? (I'm aiming for a mirror finish). Regular swiping with a cleaning cloth doesn't seem to help lessen the dull. Thank you!

So its finally here! Namiki Royale, Vermilion Urushi Warning: Photo Heavy - I personally love when reviews have tons of photos so just returning the favor! This pen fulfilled so many of my most desirable traits in a pen, that I found myself in need of writing a review on FPN for others to see. I will try to restrain myself from praising the pen too much, as I have only had the pen for about a week now...but as of now all I can say is: "this pen is freaking awesome!" I will divide the review into the following: 1. Appearance: The aesthetics and feel of the pen, disregarding the write-ability of the pen for this portion. 2. Performance:The nib and writing experience. 3. Construction: Durability of its materials, construction method, and details. 4. Presentation: Small portion that describes packaging. 5. Value: What/how I may value the pen and its experience. Without further ado... 1. Appearance: The appearance of the pen is of elegance and of humble gesture... At first glance from a distance the pen doesn't look too special, but as you get closer the finer details and presence of the pen slowly reveals itself to be an object of human creation approaching the pinnacle of perfection. Yes those are big words, but this is a big pen with bold attitude and confidence, I feel comfortable many who held one would agree. http://i1251.photobucket.com/albums/hh558/Pammzer/IMG_6011_zps5238ba00.jpg The shape of the pen is a classic cigar shape, but utilizes some of the lines of the french curve. A "french curve" is a classical curve measurement or standard in which the beauty of its curvature is determined through proportion. It appears pleasing to the eye much like the "golden scale" many are more familiar with. There is no compromise here, the pen became all that it wanted to be along the barrel and the cap. http://i1251.photobucket.com/albums/hh558/Pammzer/IMG_6023_zps528c8108.jpg http://i1251.photobucket.com/albums/hh558/Pammzer/IMG_6043_zps5f59366f.jpg The only details on the pen that breaks the perfectly lacquered shape are the clip and the very thin trim along the bottom of the cap. The clip very mysteriously slips into a slot, showing no evidence to how it might have been made. This is very much like Japanese Architecture, components coming together in a matter that shows no sign of bolts, rivets, seams... Therefore in appearance creating a object that is - and not that is force to be. I've seen several people complain that the Namiki clip on their higher end pens look exactly like the ones on their more "affordable" pens. I don't have any other Pilot or Namiki pens and cannot compare but from pictures the Royale Urushi and Maki-E line as well as the Emperor line seems to have greater taper along the two sides of the clip. This makes sense since they are larger pens, and therefore can have a larger clip. http://i1251.photobucket.com/albums/hh558/Pammzer/IMG_6033_zps4840078c.jpg The very thin golden ring trim at the bottom of the cap protects to urushi from impact anytime the cap is put down. It is the only urushi edge that will come into constant contact with other surfaces. This design shows impeccable excellence in the care for their pen designs, combining beauty and purpose. The Form and the Function do not compete for attention, they create synergy and one cannot be separated without the other, much like what we see in nature's design. http://i1251.photobucket.com/albums/hh558/Pammzer/IMG_6055_zps28c09fb9.jpg To give you an idea as to the size of this pen, I compared it to well known German and Italian pens well regarded as "pen standard" in measurement. The Montblanc 149 to the left appears to be similar to the Namiki in its cigar shape, but in reality it is VERY different. The ends of the 149 do not follow the "french curve" and have a bit of a squashed look to it in comparison. The Namiki I would say is slightly larger in length and very slightly thinner in girth than the 149. For die-hard Italian fans I threw in the old-style Omas Paragon to size compare... the comparatively small yet nimble Paragon is much thinner and shorter in comparison. The Paragon I feel is the perfect size for on-the-field type of writing, I feel very comfortable whipping it out in any situation to write down something quick. The 149 and the Namiki are large pens, however they somehow mastered their utility and grip comfort despite their size. I feel equally as comfortable to bring them along anywhere I go. They will feel right at home in either the field for sketching or in the meeting room. I tried to cover the colour portion in this review but it is just so difficult for words to describe, it shifts drastically depending on lighting conditions. I can say that it is a very bold and deep red that your eyes cannot look away from. I will let you readers be the judge of the colour... In my opinion, a deep bold red paired with a sensual yet humble body is a killer combination. 2. Performance: The writing experience of this pen can be explained to you in one word: Zen This is where the review might get a bit controversial... Statistics show that this pen is in the "heavier" pen category. The weight of the pen is around 45gr. This is due to the un-assuming brass construction underneath the delicous vermilion urushi (that will be covered later on). In comparison the MB149 weighs 29gr and the Omas Paragon weights 20gr. Although the Namiki more than doubles the weight of the paragon, it is so well balanced that the weight does not detract from the writing experience. Like a well made sword or weapon, the weight distribution is perfect and the user feels no strain, while at the business end there is more "oomph". I absolutely love this well balanced weight, a humble looking pen, when held has that feel to it like - "hey I am a big deal"... is what really makes it a serious pen for me. Looking at a Namiki Royale and holding one is a completely different experience. http://i1251.photobucket.com/albums/hh558/Pammzer/IMG_6028_zps80101cfe.jpg http://i1251.photobucket.com/albums/hh558/Pammzer/IMG_6041_zps05844c2c.jpg The nib is gorgeous...Large gold thing that writes with a perfect combination of smoothness and control. Unlike many Japanese cars, the smoothness of the feel does not compromise the control of the vehicle. I can feel the "road" or paper in the perfect amount so that I may react accordingly. It feels much like a BMW, I am always in control and never left dry from feeling like I am the vehicle, not riding one. The nib writes pretty wet for a Japanese pen with a bit of give to create some line variation. This pen is a m nib and writes somewhere between an Italian M and a Japanese M. I cannot compliment in control more, I ask nib for more by applying a bit more pressure - and it provides by giving me thicker lines and a juicier flow. I ask for less and loosen my pressure and it gives me thin lines with drier ink flow. What more can you ask from your pen? 3. Construction: http://i1251.photobucket.com/albums/hh558/Pammzer/IMG_6059_zpsc66017c4.jpg I don't think I can comment much on its construction other then - it is made of brass...and lacquered with the most beautiful Vermilion I've ever seen. The inside of the cap barrel is lined with some sort of felt to protect the urushi pen placing the cap on. The inner treads are all brass and align perfectly to one another, giving confidence to the user that it is robust and not a fragile instrument. The outer threads above the grip section are lacquered in urushi, and very meticulously done to show no evidence that any human has ever touched it. The pen uses a converter, yes I know what your thinking...why make a big pen and stick a converter in it? But this is the Namiki CON-70 converter, don't be fooled... it is a big converter. I am a huge advocate of large pens must = large ink reservoir, and converter in a large pen like Sailor KOP is a big turn-off for me. But Namiki's CON-70 holds 1.9ml of ink, I can hardly say that is little considering Pelikan M800 holds just about the same ink! 4. Presentation: Just a short note on the packaging of the pen: it is neat! There is no unnecessary decorative features, well protected, yet still very sophisticated. No it did not come inside that large blue metal trunk that's my coffee table! http://i1251.photobucket.com/albums/hh558/Pammzer/IMG_6061_zps9f299049.jpg 5. Value: I think I will take this portion as a conclusion to my review. How would I rate this pen? It is well worth every penny for me. No other pen has performed so well in all aspects of performance, durability, style, elegance, and presence. The object evokes a pen that strives so close to perfection that it feels almost as if it is made from a superior machine with extremely precise assembly. However the real value of this pen is knowing that in fact it is meticulously hand made. How and what it took for someone to hand lacquer this pen is beyond me... In conclusion, it has satisfied every appetite I have for a pen both subjectively and objectively. Don't just look at this pen but hold it...and if the owner allows it please take some time to meditate on the feel of its writing experience. With each tier of experience with this pen, the appreciation of it grows ever so humbly. http://i1251.photobucket.com/albums/hh558/Pammzer/IMG_6032_zps74201db8.jpg Thank you for reading this review! I hope it was fun reading it as much as it was for me to review it! Please feel free to leave a comment on how I can improve my review skills as well as any comments you may have on the pen. Many more reviews to come, my other pens are very jealous in what I had to say about the Namiki, the newest arrival...and is begging me to give them some more attention that they surely do deserve. Cheers! Michael

I ordered this pen in September, directly from Nakaya, and it arrived at the beginning of this month. This year has been crazy and hectic, so I haven't had a chance to post much, but I wanted to share some photos of this, one of my grail pens. Hopefully I'll get more time to post some more photos and reviews of some new pens! I asked that it be fitted with a rhodium plated Soft Fine nib; it's stiffer than the unplated SFs that I have on some other Nakayas, but still gives some line variation and feels very nice while I'm writing. The color is exactly what I was hoping for - a deep, almost-black broken by blue-green along the facets of the decapod. It reminds me of waves in the Gulf of Mexico under moonlight.

Hi FPN! Its been awhile... I have a new target pen up coming and I was hoping to get some of your opinions/experiences... I am lingering on which colour of Sailor KOP urushi I should pick up... So far the contenders are: 1. Blue 2. Crimson 3. Green Has anyone seen first hand or own any other colours other than the red one? (It seems that the crimson is the crowd favorite) I currently own a Namiki vermillion urushi and thought maybe I should try another colour for my next big urushi pen! Let me know if you have any thoughts or experiences please!

Hi everyone, I am looking to buy a Namiki Emperor Red Vermillion Urushi Fountain pen, Anyone help? Please recommand any on line shop and personal seller is fine. Thank you for your help!

Has anyone ever seen a Nakaya Kuro, Aka, Heki, Shiro-tamenuri (black-red, reddish-red, brown-green, white) side by side pic? If so, please share. I realize that the beauty of the urushi finish results in variability, but I believe a side by side picture of 3 or 4 of the colors with the same lighting would be helpful.

I would like esthetic advice on the Nakaya Tamenuri long cigar fountainpen. If I understand the Kuro is black finish with red underneath and somewhat visible, whereas the Ao is mostly dark red. I am inclined toward the black.red as more classical. ALso inclined to a soft fine tip, or fine flex, for calligraphic touch. Any and all advice will be much appreciated.

One good Housuge Shu deserves another! (I'm looking at you, alvarez57) I think I fell in love with this pen when I saw the Cigar (clipless) model of Leigh Reyes - if you have never gone to her site, you should! She has amazing artistic skills, as well as great penmanship. To achieve this look, the artisan carves into the urushi surface, and then rubs a mixture of urushi + charcoal (sumi) over the surface. Once they remove the sumi from the surface, it stays in the carvings. I chose a soft fine for this pen, and it is amazing! It is softer than the other two soft fines I have, but I would still rate it as less flexible than a vintage flexer (the only one I have is a Waterman's 0552 1/2 V). In the above, you can see the similarity of the base color of the Housuge Shu to the unpolished Shu (Shu-nurippanashi). A rough and amateurish size comparison with a Parker Duofold Centennial - the Housuge Shu is shorter, but I believe the grip section is ever-so-slightly wider (.41 inches to .4 inches, according to nibs.com). The Nakaya is also lighter. Here's a writing sample. I purchased this pen from John Mottishaw & company, and I'm very happy! It's smooth and responsive. Looking at this writing sample, I wish I had refrained from that third cup of coffee this morning http://fpgeeks.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.png