Maki-e A Story Waiting to be Written

The sign of vivacity growth of maki-e art has inspired Alberto Gerosa to reseach on it and published a new book to help us under this ancient Japanese arts of lacquering, and maki-e technique.

Unlike the "Four Season of Namiki" by Christopher, Alberto focus on the maki-e art, and not brands specify.

This 200 pages book accompanies the reader on a journey of discovery of countless extraordinary fountain pens with  a good representatives maki-e fountain pens from some of the big three Japan pens maker such as Pilot-Namiki, Sailor and Platinum-Nakaya, as well as makers from various corners of the planet. Just to name a few of the big boys, Caran d'Ache, Pelikan, Waterman, Loiminchay and others.

Sailor Kurenai (Sunset) Limited Edition

Nature has always been a good theme for maki-e art.

Sailor uses 'yuuyake', which mean sunset, sunset, twilight, or evening, as theme for thier last 33 pieces limited edition series for the year 2012.

Beside the day break, the sunset is the next most significant moment in a day. A sign that indicate to us the day is coming to an end; the time to let our hair down, rest and reflect on our achivement for the day.

Kyoto urushi artisan Kurotobi-san illustrated an abstract view of this significant moment on the Sailor King of Pen (KOP) in ebonite with gold trim.

Caran d'Arche Buddha Limited Edition 2013

After completing the Indian culture only gods theme, Caran d'Ache and artist Edouard Jud collaborate to revised Buddha theme with a new limited edition.

Unlike the Caran d'Arche Buddha Limited Edition 2007, which is limited to 10 pieces worldwide for each edition, the Buddha Limited Edition 2013 fountain pen is limited to 88 pieces worldwide with each pen individual number.

Beside making many more pieces, the material for the pen and semi precious stone use to crown the pen are all different. Hence, the big different in their price too.

Herbin Marie-Antoinette Ink bottle

Last year (2011), J Herbin commemorate the last queen of France, Marie-Antoinette, by launching perfume bottle look alike, which they called is "Chest" bottle filled with Herbin Rose Cyclamen ink.

Nakaya Pen Clinic Singapore

Hello Singapore!

Nakaya nib master Shinichi Yoshida from Nakaya Japan will be coming to Singapore after a three long years to spice up our little red dot.

Many thanks to Mr. Tan Fong Kum of Aesthetic Bay who invited Shinichi Yoshida for a three (3) days stopped over in Singapore to allow our local and neighouring countries pen lovers to purchase Nakaya and Platinum fountain pens and have it adjusted to one writing style on the spot.

Mr. Shinichi Yoshida will meet and help all Nakaya and Platinum fountain pen owners adjust their nib on the following 3 days.

Sailor Yosegi Zaiku Special Edition Fountain Pen

Yosegi Zaiku (寄木細工) is an unique traditional wood working technique which originated at the end of the Edo era (1603-1868).

The mosaic work is made by making best use of natural fine grains and textures of wood. Timbers of different colors are cut into oblong rods of desired sections.

Pilot Heart Sutra (Hannya Shingyō) (般若心経)

The Heart Sutra (Hannya Shingyo) is a very common theme of many Japanese and Chinese makers including pens manufacturer.

The latest Pilot Heart Sutra on fountain pen is not their first such project. If we remember correctly, Pilot did a similar project back in the '70.

The full script of the Heart Sutra, which consist of  260 Chinese characters, are beautifully painted on the fountain pen.

Cross 2013 Year of Snake Special Edition

Early bird catches the worm. . .

Cross launhed their Year of Snake Special Edition this month (October). They are the first to launched a Zodiac Snake pen.

Unlike the Year of Dragon Special Edition, the Year of Snake Special Edition is made Cross bigger fountain pen, the Apogee range of fountain pen.

Montegrappa Mayan Calendar Limited Edition

The Montegrappa Mayan Calendar Limited Edition reminded me of the 2009 science fiction disaster film directed by Roland Emmerich. It is a epic adventure about a global cataclysm that brings an end to the world and tells of the heroic struggle of the survivors.

The Mayan Calendar predicts the end of the world on December 21, 2012. The December 21,2012 : Myth or Truth?

The Mayan calendar moves in cycles with the last cycle ending in December 2012. It is often interpreted as "the world will end on 21 December 2012, at 11:11 UTC".  The last day of the Mayan calendar corresponds with the Winter Solstice (or December Solstice), which has played a significant role in many cultures all over the world.

Jac Zagoory Flaming Monks Pen Rest

Recently, we discovered this interest pair of monkey pen rest by Jac Zagoory at Fook Hing Trading, and later discover it was also available City Lux.

It is actually called Flaming Monks pen holder.