Namiki Emporer Kylin 麒麟

The Qilin or Kylin (麒麟) is a mythical East Asia creature and one of the important mythological animals. It is believe that the Qilin bring prosperity, serenity, and male offspring

It is also believe that is will appear with the imminent or passing of a wise sage or an illustrious ruler.

Kirin is sometimes listed as one of the four noble animals, along with the Chinese dragon, phoenix and tortoise - instead of the tiger. Like all great rulers, the Chinese believe Qilin is always lonely

It is believe Kylin As a rule this animal is depicted having a few horns, green and blue scaly skin, hooves of a deer, the head of a dragon and a bear's tail.

The appearance and desciption of Qilin/Kirin (麒麟) has change over time.

 It is believed that the original appearance Kirin have the head of a fragon, a body of a tiger, with green and blue scaly skin and a bear's tail due to culture different in the China dynasties, and different culture in Japan and Korea.
One of the believe the Qilin appearance is giraffe like, and giraffe is the modem version of the Qilin which might have the magical power of the kirin.

This may becuase the giraffe has horn-like "ossicones" on its head.

Do you know that the giraffe is called kirin (기린) by the Koreans and kirin (キリン) by the Japanese?

Namiki Emporer is the third Kirin maki-e pens we come acorss. The first two was launched by Dani-Trio and Sailor.
Dani Trio launched the Kirin pen titled Dento Kogei-shi limited edition, and it is painted by Masanori Omote. This year Omote-san should be 72 years-old.

Sailor launched the Kirin under the Shi Rei Limited Edition. Sailor maki-e artisan  Ohsita-san painted the Kylin on Sailor King Of Pen (KOP). This is limited to 28 pieces worldwide.

Namiki artisan Masaru-san painted this mystical creature Kylin on the Namiki Emporer fountain pen. Both Taka makie and Shishiai Togidashi maki-e technique are use to paint this beautiful and colorful Namiki Emporer Kylin.

The Kylin head details is fantastic. The most complex maki-e techniqu shishiai togidashi maki-e technique is used to paint the Kirin head in oriental style.

The body of the Kylin is painted using taka maki-e technique.  The green and blue scaly skin on it body are well represented.

The fire on the body are painted in oriental style. The fire movement flow in the same direction as the Kirin.

We notice Namiki maki-e design is changing it style. The layout are now toward the west. The pen cap and barrel will have it own theme. Unlike it the past, the entire pen is design with one theme or layout that make the pen look like one beautiful picture or drawing of art.

We notice the new Namiki pens in 2012, including the new Namiki Yubasame Limtied Editon 2012 and this beautiful Namiki Emporer Kylin, has a different design approach. The pen cap are painted with flowers, and the pen barrel is design with main theme.

This beautiful Namiki Emporer Kylin is available at all major Namiki authorized dealer.