Question About Lines Of Namiki Maki-E Pens

[ctt1wbw]

I was talking about buying some pens earlier, some Sailors and such but I can't seem to get away from the Namiki line. They are just classy and beautiful. I've been looking at some of the designs and noticed that there is the Nippon Art line, the Yukari line, and some rather expensive Emporer models.

 

What's the major difference between the Nippon Art and Yukari line that makes for such a drastic price gap?

[Algester]

IIRC Namiki has only 1 pen line that uses the silk screen method as opposed to the actual "art" of manually layering powder Kanazawa gold leaf or "maki-e"

I think the Nippon art actually falls under the silk screen method, unlike the Yukari, Yukari Royal and the Emperor

the pros to this style is that it's easier to reproduce, and cheaper to make should be the "factory" staple as opposed to be sent to the 6 month waiting list with the other pens

but it doesnt mean that it is in anyway inferior in terms of lasting design but at least it won't set your wallet back for a few years for 1 unless the Nippon art line sets you back for 1K USD... then... maybe I'll give it some thought

Edited February 17, 2016 by Algester

[jde]

 

What's the major difference between the Nippon Art and Yukari line that makes for such a drastic price gap?

 

 

Good question, and not to be flip but they use different maki-e techniques.

 

The Art model series uses hira-maki-e, a vastly misunderstood technique. Here's a good thread about hira maki-e (pay special attention to Winedoc's posts).

 

Also here's another good thread where QM2 discusses silk-screened work and low-end maki-e, as an FYI. I've a Platinum pen that uses both silk screened and hand-techniques. I like it as much as a higher end maki-e pen in my collection.

 

Note that in both the Art Model and Yukari lines the pens are signed by the artist. So even though there is a huge cost gap between these lines, they are both quality lines using different techniques.

 

Maki-e is all about what appeals to your eye. Sometimes I can afford it; sometimes not!

 

Maki-e is a very complex topic with many techniques. There's a lot of great info that's been shared if you can dig deep into this forum. Very few experts or well-informed people here on the topic: Winedoc, Stan, Altecgreen, and a few others. There's a pinned topic, too, about maki-e techniques. Read that pinned topic if you haven't, but you may still be confused so don't stop there. There are many older threads containing informative gems. I've given you two examples.

 

A slippery, wonderful slope, my friend!

[ctt1wbw]

Thanks for the help, I really appreciate it. I love these pens. Nibs.com has the Nippon Art line for $600 per pen and the Yukari line at almost $2500 per, but I did find a respectable shop on eBay based in Spain that sells the Yukari line for about $1200 per.

[zaddick]

The Yukari is smaller than the Yukari Royal which is smaller than the Namiki #50. the Yukar and Yukaro Royal use brass bodies (please correct me on the Yukari if i am wrong, while the #50 is hand turned ebonite. The nib sizes also go up for each of the pens. the Yukari uses a #10, the Yukari Royal, uses a #20 and the #50 (often called Emperor) uses the, you guessed it, #50. This is all independent of the technique and #hours committed to creating the decoration on a pen.

 

I believe the Nippon Art model is resin.

[PabloAU]

What's the major difference between the Nippon Art and Yukari line that makes for such a drastic price gap?

There's quite a vast range of pricing in Namiki's lineup. This pricing is proportional to the human labor involved in crafting the artwork. The Nippon Art line uses a silk screen method to apply the base of the artwork, which requires fewer man-hours to create compared to the higher-end models. This method usually results in a relatively more "flat" image, and results in a "seam" at the rear of the pen compared to a fully hand-painted artwork that may be "continuous". These things do not make the pens any less beautiful, IMO.

 

Note that in both the Art Model and Yukari lines the pens are signed by the artist.

The Nippon Art line and some of the "entry level" (for want of a better term) Yukari pens are signed Kokkokai, which is the group of artisans that provide services in the crafting of Namiki pens. Higher-end Yukari's, Yukari Royales and Emperors are signed by the individual artist.

 

I believe the Nippon Art model is resin.

Some are resin - look for the gold trim ring at the end of the barrel. Others use the same brass body as is used in the Yukari line.

[jde]

 

The Nippon Art line and some of the "entry level" (for want of a better term) Yukari pens are signed Kokkokai, which is the group of artisans that provide services in the crafting of Namiki pens. Higher-end Yukari's, Yukari Royales and Emperors are signed by the individual artist.

 

 

Wonderful post. Totally forgot about the Kokkokai group; thanks for that!

 

 

Thanks for the help, I really appreciate it. I love these pens. Nibs.com has the Nippon Art line for $600 per pen and the Yukari line at almost $2500 per, but I did find a respectable shop on eBay based in Spain that sells the Yukari line for about $1200 per.

 

 

Sounds like one way or another you are on your way to purchasing a new Namiki. Appreciate your reminder about these beautiful pens.

 

If you haven't seen it, the Namiki (usa) website has some good basic info on the techniques used on their pens:

http://www.pilot-namiki.com/en/technique/