First published in Japan two years ago, this comprehensive Maki-e pens guidebook is now available in English. This book’s subject matter has become very popular among Western collectors in the last few years. As collectible enthusiasm grows for this beautiful Japanese art form used on modern writing instruments, more educational and historical information is being sought.

This informational guide book is fueling the desire for more information as Maki-e decorated writing instruments are becoming most desirable not only for their beauty unlike any other form of decorated writing instruments, but also as a quality investment.

Author Tomihiro Murakami now presents a history of the development of this Maki-e (the scattering of gold dust) decorating process on writing instruments by The Namiki Manufacturing Co., Ltd. and their subsequent venture with the Alfred Dunhill Company.
He also explains in great detail the various methods and techniques of Maki-e and the style of over forty significant artists and the identification of their signatures. He further presents this book as a collector’s companion to identify lacquer pens by identification of imprints, clip designs, filling systems and also nib designs and imprinting.

The Namiki Mfg Co. was the predecessor of the present Pilot Corporation and was formed in 1918 by Masao Wada and Ryosuke Namiki. Namiki was previously employed in the manufacture of pen nibs in 1916, developing new methods of nib manufacture and tipping with iridium.

Pens at this time were made from ebonite (rubber sulfide) which had the tendency to quickly discolor from exposure to light and humidity. Pens manufactured in the U.S. and Europe were commonly plain black or mottled red and black hard rubber or embellished with fancy chased engraving patterns. The more elaborate and expensive decorations involved full sterling or gold metal overlay designs with fancy scroll work and patterns. The most elaborate of these embellishments were the early Continental safety pens produced in Italy.

At this time Namiki developed their own successful process of coating these pens with lacquer, the process called “Lacquernite” which was patented in Japan and the United States.

Maki-e lacquering, a centuries-old technique in which multi-layered patterns are drawn on the barrel and cap with urushi - sap from Japanese lacquer trees. The hand-painted designs richly interpret scenes of nature in precious metals and lavishly colored pigments.

In 1924 Namiki started to manufacture lacquer pens with Maki-e decorations and quickly started a successful distribution with offices in New York, London, Shanghai and Singapore.

In 1927 Namiki concluded a contract with The Alfred Dunhill Company, well known for their luxury products. Dunhill went so far as to state a 30 year guarantee on all of their lacquer pens.

The author’s study of lacquer pens include those that are branded NAMIKI, DUNHILL-NAMIKI or PILOT. He also illustrates decorated pens from Sailor and Platinum.

Well illustrated to represent the basic techniques of Maki-e, this book is easy to read and understand. What may appear otherwise difficult to understand in foreign language definitions, the images and explanations are well presented. After careful reading I soon found quite a pleasure in voicing the poetic sounding names of the techniques, such as…

• hiramakie - a low relief sprinkled lacquer
togodashi – a sprinkled design is applied with numerous layers of black lacquer then polished until the design reappears and is flush with the surface
takamakie – high relief lacquer; a technique in which powders are sprinkled over lacquer mixed with a thickening agent to create a raised surface
shishiai-togidashimaki – a technique in which takamakie is continuosly combined with togodashi. The highest level of skill is required.

Author Murakami further explains the difference between Japanese and Western design.
“It is a radical departure from Western graphics based on individuals, events and histories. Japanese lacquer pens are not symmetrical in design. Japanese like small things, consisting of beautiful complicated layers. The lacquer work only expresses cherry blossoms, cranes, and other familiar objects…it is made of ordinary things. The complexity, however, is packed in the Zen itself. Makie is a small square world in which much time and space were condensed.”

Although difficult to illustrate the magnificent detail of Maki-e decoration even with the finest printing process, over 75 pens are beautifully illustrated in full color, many with magnified sections for close examination. The decoration techniques are explained as well as the artist signatures, his history and date of manufacture. Besides vintage fountain pens, other decorated products and accessories are shown, such as boxes and desk accessories from the 1930’s through the modern period of 1990’s. Vintage advertising is also illustrated.

The author further details where and how to buy Namiki pens, and the possibilities of repairs which are most difficult, but available.

One of Pilot's vintage Namiki pens set a world record at auction. At the "Fine & Rare Vintage Fountain Pen" auction held December 8, 2000 at Bonhams & Brooks in London, a world record pen price was achieved. The pen was an exceptional Namiki "Giant" Maki-e lacquer pen decorated with two dragons, circa 1928-30, and sold for £183,000 or $239,250.

The pen was created by one of Namiki's most important artists, Shogo Iijima, who worked by his art name Iijima Genjirou. Shogo was widely regarded as an outstanding young artist when he was the first artist recruited to join the Japanese firm in 1924.

The intricate decoration of the pen depicts two dragons navigating through bolts of lightning and rolling gold storm clouds. Shogo used a wide variety of techniques, including the use of Taka-maki-e, a three-dimensional raised lacquering technique, which is particularly unusual on a pen and is especially effective when combined with inlays of iridescent shells and silver lacquer.

This compact hard cover book was originally designed to accompany the traveller for a quick and accurate reference. I find the content of this work well presented for anyone eager to learn of this most unique process and early Namiki Company history. For the serious collector, this book would be essential to identify the works of documented artists and their signatures.

Dunhill-Namiki and Lacquer Pens by Tomihiro Murakami is exclusively available from David Ushkow of Pen-Site.com.

Sites for further information and enlightenment
The Virtual Museum of Japanese Arts
Kyoto National Museum – Japanese Arts
The National Museum of Japanese History