Namiki Yukari Royale Noshi Bundle

[Linger]

Eye-candy + master craftsmanship + functional instrument = the Namiki Yukari Royale. I recently acquired the Noshi Bundle, an introduction from 2011.
 
So far I have been able to steer clear from the "jumbo's", the Pilot Custom Urushi and the one - the Namiki Emperor. For me size wise the "over-sized" Sailor King of Pens and the Namiki Yukari Royale are perfect, although I write just as easy with smaller pens. But bigger? Not sure yet. Maybe. 
 
Pen in this size-category offer a great canvas for maki-e, and although the Emperor historically has had more motives to choose from, the Yukari Royale is catching up. Sailor’s King of Pens also gives plenty possibilities.
 
The Noshi Bundle is my third Yukari Royale after the red and the black #20. The dimensions of the pen, the heft/weight (it has a brass base after all), the balance, the built quality, the nib, the writing performance; all is known and described and reviewed quite a few times over. So nothing new here - this pen is superb. 

 

The Noshi Bundle adds the maki-e artwork. And it is exquisite: the techniques used are Togidashi-taka (raised polishing) with Hyoumon (metal leaves).
 
Not being Japanese, I had to look up the meaning of the symbol. Well, it has quite a history. What I have learned is that apparently it dates back to the 12th century. A noshi is a decorative element attached to gifts at celebration events, a token of good luck, a symbol to express good wishes. Originally it might have been fresh meat or fish, but it evolved into dried fish, especially stretched and dried abalone. More recent this strip of dried abalone was replaced by silk ribbons tied together with a golden thread, and/or by a narrow strip of yellow/golden paper ceremonially folded into a white origami. The noshi motives as such were also used on kimonos worn on festive days. 

 

I am also not very familiar with which artist has what style and designed which pen in the Namiki line-up. The artist of the Noshi Bundle is Misa Seki - one of the very few female artisans in the Kokkokai group.
 
The reason I chose the Noshi Bundle is quite simply because of the colors and the design. The motive is slightly “off” the “usual”. Without having tallied all releases so far, my guess is that the statistical mode in the data set of all Namiki maki-e pens probably is “an animal figurine on a predominantly black background”. Which is great, but the Noshi Bundle is not that. It is different. And this pen simply makes me smile. It burst colors and radiates positive energy. It looks joyful, lively, optimistic, festive, happy. It is a present with good wishes. To myself.
 
For its maiden voyage I paired it with Iroshizuku Ku-Jaku, a lighter, brighter teal. Yes, this is art, but it is functional art: fountain pens are #madetobeused!

 

My photos usually don't do very much justice to the beauty of the pen...but I try anyways. This time even outside, with sunshine and without. Well, you judge for yourself - needless to say that I am extremely happy to be able to possess this treasure.

 

 

 

 

[DvdRiet]

Oh, that one is *very* pretty!!

[jandrese]

Amazing pen, superb! Congrats and enjoy!

[Paul-in-SF]

6 hours ago, Linger said:

this pen simply makes me smile. It burst colors and radiates positive energy. It looks joyful, lively, optimistic, festive, happy. It is a present with good wishes. To myself.

 

This is a reaction or motivation that I love to hear about. I have one or two pens that happened to come my way that make me feel that way. Congratulations. 

[mongrelnomad]

Incredible! Enjoy it in good health!