Namiki Limited Edition Setsugekka

Christmas come early this year for the Namiki collectors. The Namiki Limited Edition 2010 uses the beauty of season changes as this year theme. Setsugekka literally translated as 'Snow Moon Flower', which symbolical mean Winter Snow, Autumn Moon, and Spring Flowers.

Skilled artisan Michifumi uses the Togidashi Taka (Burnished-Raised) method to capture beauty of the Setsugekka motif.

The winter snow crytals and traditional Japanese snowflake design was crafted using Togidashi (Burnished) and Hira (Flat) maki-e technique to give the design more depth. alongside a range of other refined Maki-e techniques.

Spring is represented by the golden-glazed Sakura cherry blossoms in full moon.

According to the write out, a full moon is decorated on top of the cap, and further embellished with gradated sprinkles of silver powder to portray the whimsical dance of the moonlight trail for ‘autumn’.

However, we are not able to identify the moon.

Falling snow crytals and traditional snowflakes symbolize winter.

The silver Tsuyu-dama or dewdrops crafted through the pen added beauty to the spectacle of snow-falling.

This masterpiece is limited to only 99 pieces worldwide.

Year 2009, Namiki moved away from traditional design, using the Polar Bear as it theme for 2009 annual limited edition. This year (2010), Namiki again added a touch of the comtempory to 2010 annual limited edition.

When we received our pen, we have a mixed feeling as we look at the pen closer. We are very happy that Namiki, again, didn't disappoint the collectors as this is a very beautiful pen.

We are sadden because Namiki started to add contemporary design into their drawing. If Namiki continue it path of adding contemporary design, it might one day lose it identity.

We are not sure what is Namiki future direction, the Satsugekka Limited Edition might be thier second step into contemporary design to increase their brand awareness or build up a bigger customers base. Or it might be due to older skillful astisan going into retirement.

Over all, the Satsugekka have a balance of the tradition and contemporary design. It is definitely a plus as compare to the last year (2009) theme.