An Ode To The Danitrio Mikado

[rpsyed]

http://i.imgur.com/L1KmlxA.jpg

 

The Danitrio Mikado is the only repeat in my collection. And it's for a good reason. The pen is just an amazing writer and it's ebonite construction makes it incredibly well-balanced.

 

I own one Ao (blue) Roiro-Migaki and one Shu (red) Roiro-Migaki Mikados in the flat-top version, clipless. They also available in the round-top version. Both flat- and round-top version are available with and without clips.

 

http://i.imgur.com/JSkqnd0.jpg

 

The signature is of Koichiro Okazaki, also known as Kogaku. He is a master Maki-e artist commissioned by Danitrio to do both urushi pens as well as Maki-e pens. I love that Danitrio's urushi pens are signed by the artist. It really makes a point of the man who put so much skill and work into making these pens a reality. The signature also just looks pretty cool =]

 

http://i.imgur.com/k6ARh3S.jpg

 

 

Interestingly, the Bock #8 nib, which most of the bigger Danitrio pens use, has changed slightly over time. The blue one has the older version, while the red one has the newer version.

 

http://i.imgur.com/U5ep2cd.jpg

 

From top: Danitrio Mikado in blue urushi, Danitrio Mikado in red urushi, Danitrio Densho in blue urushi, Danitrio Sho-Genkai in raw ebonite, and a Lamy Safari in charcoal.

The Densho is an older pen that I got in a trade and the blue urushi is little lighter. The Densho is also an eyedropper but it has a #6-size nib. It's very light and comfortable and the clip makes it more convenient to carry but I much prefer the looks and writing experience of the Mikado. With it's large ink capacity and clip, it would make a great daily carry.

 

http://i.imgur.com/yhABwkY.jpg

 

The Mikado pens are Japanese eyedroppers, which is an eyedropper with a shut-off valve. You fill the pen with an eyedropper or syringe and when you want to write you unscrew the knob at the end and it opens up the valve. Here you can see the seal that meets with the inside of the section, cutting off ink-flow when the shut-off valve knob is screwed down.

 

http://i.imgur.com/US5q6im.jpg

 

The Mikado is a big pen! But it's very light for it's size and the large grip section is very comfortable for long writing periods.

Underneath the Mikado is a Nakaya Piccolo. Nakaya pens are more normal-sized in width but for people who prefer oversized pens, I think Dantrio pens would generally be more comfortable. I'm not really qualified to determine the difference in urushi quality, but to my eyes both Danitrio and Nakaka look fantastic.

Danitrio's urushi is done by master Maki-e artists though, which is why they have that nifty signature, that I love so much.

 

http://i.imgur.com/oQtbCOo.jpg

 

 

Even though the Mikado is really big capped, uncapped it's a very reasonable length.

The nib is huge and proportional to it's size.

 

http://i.imgur.com/rODHMY5.jpg

 

http://i.imgur.com/sDqiNn0.jpg

 

Danitrio Sho-Genkai with the old-style Bock #8 nib and Mikado with new-style Bock nib.

 

http://i.imgur.com/i32l0to.jpg

 

A trio of Danitrio eyedroppers.

 

http://i.imgur.com/VhpKpZF.jpg

 

A trio of Dantrio #8-size nibs.

 

http://i.imgur.com/RYYol92.jpg

 

http://i.imgur.com/KWdbwsc.jpg

 

The red urushi is so bright and absolutely flawless. Kogaku, the Maki-e artist, who did the lacquer work on both my Mikado pens, did a fantastic job.

 

http://i.imgur.com/ya2MuQk.jpg

 

http://i.imgur.com/GbE1XuW.jpg

 

Writing sample

 

http://i.imgur.com/2ZUQ3Ik.jpg

 

The fine nib has some slight feedback but is very smooth and a fantastic writer. The medium is just a bit bigger in writing width than the fine and has less feedback. The broad nib is ridiculously smooth and ridiculously wet, and much wider than the medium. It's a fun nib and would make a great starting point to a custom grind.

 

http://i.imgur.com/uue0bLm.jpg

 

From top: Blue Mikado, Red Mikado, Lamy Safari, Raw Ebonite Sho-Genkai, and Blue Densho.

My next pen is either going to be a Namiki Emperor or a third Danitrio Mikado in a more exotic finish like Nashiji-nuri or one of the Hanazono collection colors. For my hand, it's just the perfect oversized pen.

 

 

 

[dms525]

Those are beautiful pens. They look appreciated.

 

David

[zaddick]

Thank you for the photos and the passion. I think the Namiki urushi #50 would make a great next choice. You get a bigger nib and a different eye dropper system with it.

 

Also, maybe you can start a go fund me page for a new photo background quilt.

[Mew]

Bock #8 nib size has reduced? Referring to picture #3 from top.

[rpsyed]

Those are beautiful pens. They look appreciated.

 

David

 

Thank you!

Thank you for the photos and the passion. I think the Namiki urushi #50 would make a great next choice. You get a bigger nib and a different eye dropper system with it.

 

Also, maybe you can start a go fund me page for a new photo background quilt.

Thank you very much! I think you're right ... I just wish there was more variety in urushi finishes for the #50.

 

And hey! I Iike that quilt!!

 

Bock #8 nib size has reduced? Referring to picture #3 from top.

I think it's just the picture or the angle. I'm not sure that the nib size has been reduced much, but it might be like a millimeter smaller. The main thing is the shape of the nib and tines is different. The way to tell if you have the new- or old-style nib is to look at the feed. The ones with a fat feed are the old-style nibs and the ones with the flat feed are the new-style nibs. The main circle of the Danitrio nib imprint is also a bit bigger and more pronounced on the newer nib shape.

 

There's some good pictures in this thread that show what I'm talking about.

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/243541-show-me-your-huge-sumptuous-juicy/

Edited May 19, 2016 by rpsyed

[zaddick]

If you want a different urushi finish on your pen all it takes is money and time. I need to fund it still, but I am going to get a custom finish on my #50. It is hard to decide though.

[rpsyed]

If you want a different urushi finish on your pen all it takes is money and time. I need to fund it still, but I am going to get a custom finish on my #50. It is hard to decide though.

Ooh, yeah, that's true! I didn't think of having Ernest do some custom work on it. It looks like Jonathon Brooks is doing urushi work as well now. What kind of finishes are you thinking of? A basic finish like tamenuri or Roiro in a different color? Or something more elaborate with raden and Maki-e?

[zaddick]

Right now I am thinking about a seirei fiish (dragonfly wings). That is not too cheap though.

[rpsyed]

Right now I am thinking about a seirei fiish (dragonfly wings). That is not too cheap though.

Nice! That would look gorgeous. I remember seeing a Danitio Genkai done in that finish and I think Ernest did the LE Mina in that as well. I wonder if he will be able to work around the clip or if the clip can be removed and replaced easily?

[jar]

Hopefully one day they will offer them in cartridge/converter instead of eyedropper.

[Brian C]

I had one and traded it. One of the few trades that I regret.

[rpsyed]

Hopefully one day they will offer them in cartridge/converter instead of eyedropper.

I personally prefer the eyedropper filling system but more variety is always good. I would say though, there's no burping ever and provided you aren't planning on changing out inks often, the eyedropper system works really well.

I had one and traded it. One of the few trades that I regret.

Oh no! I hope you can aquire another one for your collection one day.

[25_15_3]

If you don't mind weighing the pen, what is the weight of the Ao Roiro-Migaki Mikado with ink? It is a pen that I'd love to own one day if it is not too heavy.

[rpsyed]

If you don't mind weighing the pen, what is the weight of the Ao Roiro-Migaki Mikado with ink? It is a pen that I'd love to own one day if it is not too heavy.

Uncapped, which is the only way I can imagine anyone using it, it's 34 grams. It's not heavy at all considering its size. If you can easily deal with the weight of a a Pilot Vanishing Point or Lamy 2000 posted, you should be fine. The section is pretty wide though. I like a wide section but it's not for everyone.

[25_15_3]

Uncapped, which is the only way I can imagine anyone using it, it's 34 grams. It's not heavy at all considering its size. If you can easily deal with the weight of a a Pilot Vanishing Point or Lamy 2000 posted, you should be fine. The section is pretty wide though. I like a wide section but it's not for everyone.

Thanks. I think it is probably a bit too heavy for my tastes. In comparison to the KOP uncapped, which I find to be a near perfect size and weight, the Mikado might fatigue my hand in extended writing.

[rpsyed]

Thanks. I think it is probably a bit too heavy for my tastes. In comparison to the KOP uncapped, which I find to be a near perfect size and weight, the Mikado might fatigue my hand in extended writing.

 

Oh, OK. You might like the Densho model, it's a good-sized Japanese eyedropper pen but very light. Probably under 20 grams uncapped.

[25_15_3]

Oh, OK. You might like the Densho model, it's a good-sized Japanese eyedropper pen but very light. Probably under 20 grams uncapped.

I'll check it out. I'll definitely make an attempt at trying all the Danitrio sizes out in person before I purchase one.