With its subtle blue finish and colorful palm motif, the Nakaya Piccolo Cigar Chinkin Palmet Kikyo Colored Powders fountain pen adds a high level of artistry to this classic model.
After turning the cap, barrel and gripping section from naturally sourced hard rubber (ebonite) it is polished then hand coated with many layers of blue (Kikyo) urushi lacquer, a process that takes months to complete.
After each layer of urushi lacquer has hardened, the artist hand engraves the pattern into the lacquer, taking care to cut just deep and wide enough to convey the design.
Then the maki-e process begins. Maki-e means "sprinkles" and the first sprinkles are of fine gold powder dusted into wet lacquer where the engraving cuts are wetted with urushi lacquer.
This allows the gold to set into the grooves and be captured by the wet lacquer.
Because the Cigar version has no clip, the intricate vines and flowers spill uninterrupted from cap to barrel.
The next steps are the addition of colored powdered also applied to the design in a way similar to the way the gold was applied. In each case, the powders that are not caught in the engraving are brushed aside. Finally a clear lacquer is applied over the design to lock in the powders, making the them a permanent part of the pen.
The results are rich and vibrant. The entire fountain pen is then carefully and meticulously polished as the final step removing all traces of the powders from the blue base coats. This is an extremely time-intensive process, and represents fine Maki-e artistry.
Palmets have their design origin in palm fronds, and the artist has stylized the motif with a mixture of large and small palmets. Swirls of vines mix with the flowers and dance along the entire length of the cap and barrel.
This fountain pen is truly unique with each pen unique to the hand work and the use of multiple colored powders - gold, red, purple, and turquoise which catches the light to striking effect.
Not only does the Chinkin technique add visual intrigue, it also provides a unique texture which you can feel with your fingers along the cap and barrel.
The Nakaya Piccolo Cigar can be filled with bottled fountain pen ink using the provided converter. Nakaya pens can also use Platinum brand ink cartridges. Hand-painted Maki-e converters are also available.
Softly coned end caps provide an excellent surface to showcase the gently swirling vines.
Not seen when the pen is capped, the palm and vine design even continues onto the gripping section, demonstrating the craftsman's attention to detail.
Nakaya pens ship in a solid softwood shipping box decorated with Japanese Kanji script and lined with decorative rice paper. A fabric pen "kimono" and starter box of Platinum brand cartridges are also included, making this pen a lovely presentation item. Sensible and elegant packaging has long been a hallmark of the Nakaya brand. The box is as painstakingly constructed as the pens they protect.
Unless requested otherwise, each pen or nib you purchase from us will be carefully examined, tested, and optimized for your personal writing characteristics before it ships.
Measurements & Specifications
Cap Type
Threaded
Closed Length
5.1"
Postable
Postable With Caution
Posted Length
6.3"
Barrel Length
3.7"
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
20.6 g
Barrel Diameter
0.6
To order this pen with personalizations such as roll stoppers, zogan inlays, and custom kanji calligraphy, please click here.
Minimum production time for personalized pens is usually four to six months, and a nonrefundable sixty percent deposit is required.
