Nakaya Naka-ai Cigar Jidai Nuri Bamboo
With its textured finish and striking red bamboo motif, the Nakaya Naka-ai Cigar Jidai-nuri Bamboo fountain pen involves a time-intensive technique. The peaked ends and tapered body of the Naka-ai model provide an excellent showcase for the unique surface of the Jidai-nuri Bamboo.
The creation of this pen requires a laborious two-step process. For the cap and barrel, a bamboo motif in vibrant red Shu is depicted against a Black Urushi base. A careful polishing process artfully removes sections of the Urushi, exposing the underlayer in a manner which mimics natural weathering. In Japanese culture bamboo is celebrated as a symbol of vitality and endurance, and the striking design creates a lasting impression of strength.
As with the Negoro pens, the Jidai-nuri Bamboo is a superb example of the Wabi-Sabi aesthetic, in which objects are seen as gaining in value and significance with time and usage. The intentional creation of "flaws" or "weathering" adds another layer of complexity to this approach. It also emphasizes the "imperfect perfection" found in nature, and emanates a truly organic feel. The Nakai Cigar Jidai-nuri Bamboo is a tactile delight due to its uneven finish and ribbed-like surface, and the understated semi-gloss finish feels quite natural in the hand.
Measurements & Specifications
| Cap Type | Threaded |
| Closed Length | 5.9" |
| Postable | Not Postable |
| Barrel Length | 4.5" |
| Section Diameter | 0.4" |
| Cartridge Capacity | 1.5 ml |
| Converter Capacity | 0.5 ml |
| Ink Capacity | 1.5 ml |
| Filling System | Cartridge-Converter |
| Pen Weight | 23.8 g |
| Barrel Diameter | 0.6 |
