Namiki Yukari Bush Clover LE 2023 Fountain pen

Pilot is pleased to announce the 2023 Limited Edition Namiki Yukari, Bush Clover (「萩」). This pen is also referred to as Hagi (萩), which translates to Autumn Grass, or Bush Clover. The plant will bud in spring and reach its full bloom in the beginning of autumn. These beautiful plants grow small and modest flowers with the petals on the end of a delicate arching stem that sways gently in the wind. Bush Clover is cherished as one of the seven flowers of autumn and is referenced in over one hundred poems in the oldest surviving book of Japanese poetry called “Man'yōshū,” which dates back to the late 7th century. Hagi often symbolizes the deep contemplation that arises from gentle, assuming beauty. It is also believed to have the power of exorcising evil spirits. In a traditional use, Hagi is also utilized in various ways in the five seasonal imperial ceremonies.

The exceptional artwork featured on this fountain pen was designed by the highly revered Kokkokai group. It takes many months to expertly handcraft each Bush Clover pen, with only 300 produced worldwide. The barrel artwork was created using traditional maki-e urushi lacquer work and finished with a sprinkling of gold dust using the togidashi polishing technique. The shimmering Bush Clover, illuminated by moonlight, is gracefully painted with silver Maki-e and red lacquer. Each of the leaves represented on the pen were intricately crafted using a variety of maki-e techniques. The fuller, gold leaves use a hira (flat) technique with silver-round-powders and polishing while the flowers are depicted with a red urushi lacquer. The accent fans featured use a burnished maki-e technique using grey lacquer and gold-flat-powders that accentuate the undergrowth around the Bush Clover. Since fans become wider at the edge, they have traditionally been regarded as a lucky pattern. 

The pen has a traditional cigar shaped body that is enhanced with a #10 18-karat gold and rhodium plated nib, depicting the iconic silhouette of Mount Fuji.

Product specifications:

• 300 pens worldwide
• Fine, Medium, or Broad #10, 18kt gold rhodium plated nib
• Black bottle of ink included
• Con-70 converter included
• Serial number engraved on the top of each clip
• Leaflet and use & care guide included in the box
• Packaged in an elegant, limited edition giftbox with a silky lining

The pens are available from May 22nd 2023.

At the start of the 20th century, a fountain pen utilizing the Japanese traditional art of “Maki-e” was born. The strong and attractive body with a lacquer finish, and the fine and elegant design by the craftsmen are highly acclaimed around the world, and those skills and spirit have been passed down to the world’s most famous name in Maki-e fountain pens: Namiki.