Namiki Pens
More than 90 years of Japanese craftsmanship have turned a writing instrument into a work of art. Pilot Namiki: a pen, or a piece of art? These exclusive pens are treasured by serious collectors and enthusiasts alike.
The company is almost a century old, but the artistry behind the designs draws on 1,500 years of Japanese history. Do not underestimate the writing quality either: Pilot Namiki also manufactures its own nibs, built for outstanding performance.
- New
Namiki Yukari Pine Needles Fountain Pen€1,705.00 €1,409.09-
- New
Namiki Yukari Chinkin Bamboo and Sparrow Fountain…€2,500.00 €2,066.12 - Namiki Yukari Royale Vermilion Urushi Fountain Pen€1,695.00 €1,400.83
- Namiki Yukari Royale Black Urushi Fountain Pen€1,695.00 €1,400.83
- Namiki Aya Seiryu Limpid Stream Fountain Pen€3,590.00 €2,966.94
- Namiki Aya Akatsuki Daybreak Fountain Pen€3,590.00 €2,966.94
- Namiki Urushi Emperor Vermilion #50 Fountain Pen€2,290.00 €1,892.56
- Namiki Urushi Emperor Black #50 Fountain Pen€2,290.00 €1,892.56
Pilot Namiki: craftsmanship carried from past to present
In 1924 founders Ryosuke Namiki and Masao Wada travelled west to show the world the Maki-e fountain pens they had developed. The barrels were finished with Japanese natural lacquer, a material based on ebonite and rubber.
Demand was immediate in cities such as New York, Paris and London. It was the lacquer that caught everyone's attention.
The next step was to use that lacquer to paint intricate designs onto the barrel. At the time, luxury fountain pens in the West were typically decorated with elaborate metal engraving, so combining strength with beauty was something new. By making fountain pens with Maki-e, a craft closely associated with Japan, the founders believed they could build a pen brand with worldwide appeal.
A group of master craftsmen was established, called Kokkokai, to make sure the skills behind Namiki quality would be passed on to future generations. That decision laid the foundation for the international success Pilot Namiki enjoys today.
The Pilot Namiki collection
The Pilot Namiki range is genuinely breathtaking. Every model carries the hand-applied lacquer finish on the barrel, and each new release feels as though it was made to outshine the last. Sumac trees, koi carp, tigers painted in gold: the Japanese artwork on these pens makes every series a collector's item in its own right. The collection includes the Emperor, Yukari Royale, Chinkin, Urushi, Nippon Art and Aya lines, alongside the limited editions.