Newest Addition: Sailor Raden Maki-e Sakura Nagare FP

[Bisquitlips]

Newest addition!

Sailor Raden Sakura Nagare!

THE PEN'S ORIGIN- This Sakura Nagare fountain pen was commissioned by the Japanese Public Foundation for Peace and Consolation in 2009. It was made to pay respect to veterans deployed overseas near the end of WWII, who were denied military pension. In 2009, these qualified veterans were offered a choice of gifts as part of their recognition. This pen was one of the choices. The pen was made in 2010, after being chosen. As a result, only a select number were made.

Veteran's recognition of course is not new. But the qualification for this pen and the design itself reveals a deeper meaning.

THE PEN'S DESIGN- The design of this pen depicts Japanese cherry blossoms "Sakura" floating down a river "Nagare" in spring time. The riverside is made of powered gold. The river and cherry blossoms are made from hand-laid mother of pearl. The design is finished with multiple layers of pure urushi lacquer. The entire process took 8 months to complete incorporating a number of complex maki-e techniques.

This design was inspired by kyokusui-no-en (winding stream party), a 1000-year-old Japanese game. In this game, the first person writes a poem and floats a cup of sake down the stream. The next person, must write a poem of their own before the cup reaches them. Once it does, the drink in honor of participation and float a refilled cup of sake to the next person and the game is continued. After everyone has played the game, they share their poems in friendly competition.

On this pen, the Japanese cherry blossom represents both the floating sake and the beauty of Japan in spring. It symbolizes the beauty of culture and life the young are deprived of in war. Often with no recognition of what was asked of them and what was lost.

[ashokleyland]

Love that detailed art...

[jar]

Very nice but hasn't Pilot used that same design several times?

[Bisquitlips]

Originally Posted by jar

Very nice but hasn't Pilot used that same design several times?

I don't know Jim.

If you do can you post a photo of their previous work? That would be interesting.

I have read that this particular pen was not for sale on the primary market as it was a dedication from the Japanese priminister to WWII vets.

Thank you.

[jar]

Originally Posted by Bisquitlips

I don't know Jim.

If you do can you post a photo of their previous work? That would be interesting.

I have read that this particular pen was not for sale on the primary market as it was a dedication from the Japanese priminister to WWII vets.

Thank you.

My bad, it is Sailor that I was thinking about not Pilot. But it is a Sakura design from Tadashi Nakamura. I've held and used a KoP in that design but it is a regular issue and not a special commission.

Hey, I'm old and lucky that I remember ....... something.

[Bisquitlips]

Originally Posted by jar

My bad, it is Sailor that I was thinking about not Pilot. But it is a Sakura design from Tadashi Nakamura. I've held and used a KoP in that design but it is a regular issue and not a special commission.

Hey, I'm old and lucky that I remember ....... something.

Thanks for the info!

I noticed that these pens are made to order. I read that they take about 8 months to make and get it to the buyer.
'
Sailor King of Pens Maki-e Fountain Pen, Sakura-Nagare

A unique design by Maki-e Artist Tadashi Nakamura depicting Sakura (Cherry Blossom) flowing along the river.

These pens are made to order due to the extensive workmanship required and order times will vary, so please contact me if you would like more information."

[Burlington]

What a stunning pen - absolutely beautiful & thank you for the background information behind it.

[Bisquitlips]

Originally Posted by Burlington

What a stunning pen - absolutely beautiful & thank you for the background information behind it.

Yeah...all that info wasn't my research, but just a copy and paste of what I found on the pen.

I love the fact that these Japanese artist do more than just create a pen. They focus on a story that has roots in Japanese legends and folklore that has been passed down for generations. And then somehow they incorporate those stories into the making of a world class writing instrument in both beauty and function.

And they will only get more valuable with age. Heirlooms!

I only hope the next generations will appreciate what these works really are.