Sailor 1911 King of Pens Iro-Miyabi Fukaki-Ake Red GT Fountain pen

Discover the Sailor 1911 King of Pens Iro-Miyabi Fountain Pen, an extraordinary collection that celebrates the beauty of traditional Japanese lacquer artistry and the timeless elegance of Japan’s cultural heritage. Combining masterful craftsmanship, luxurious urushi lacquer techniques, and Sailor’s legendary King of Pens writing performance, the Iro-Miyabi series represents the perfect harmony between fine writing and traditional Japanese art.

The Beauty of Traditional Japanese Lacquer Art

The Iro-Miyabi series was created to honor the profound beauty of Japanese traditions and the lacquerware that has enriched daily life and artistic expression for centuries. Each fountain pen is finished using the traditional Miyabi-nuri technique, a sophisticated lacquering process that creates remarkable depth, texture, and subtle visual complexity.

Using a silk cloth, layers of colored lacquer are carefully applied with delicate strokes, producing a rich and refined surface. The patterns are created through the combination of a base lacquer color and specially formulated lacquer layers that enhance the design with understated elegance rather than bold contrast. To complete the finish, pure gold and silver powders are gently sprinkled across the lacquer surface, adding a soft shimmer and luxurious depth that changes beautifully under different lighting conditions.

Four Historic Japanese Colors

The Iro-Miyabi collection is available in four distinctive colors, each inspired by important periods of Japanese culture and aesthetics:

• Fukaki-Ake – A noble color dating back to the Asuka period, created through the complex cross-dyeing of madder red and purple tones.
• Kon-Ruri – A deep navy blue inspired by the precious color of lapis lazuli, admired during the Edo period for its luminous appearance against darker shades.
• Ran-Peki – A vibrant blue-green hue inspired by jasper, a mystical stone that has been treasured in Japan since ancient times.
• Bun-Jin-Cha – An elegant brown inspired by the literary culture of the Meiji period, reflecting the refined tastes of poets, calligraphers, painters, and scholars.

Together, these colors celebrate the richness of Japanese history, craftsmanship, and artistic expression.

Created by Master Lacquer Artist Isana Kobayashi

Each Sailor King of Pens Iro-Miyabi fountain pen is handcrafted by renowned lacquer artist Isana Kobayashi.

Born in Kaga, Ishikawa Prefecture, Kobayashi graduated from the prestigious Ishikawa Prefectural Wajima Urushi Lacquer Art Research Center before studying under celebrated lacquer masters Shunpei Kadode and Masao Kobayashi. His work has been exhibited internationally and commissioned by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reflecting his status as one of Japan’s leading contemporary urushi artists.

His mastery of traditional lacquer techniques brings exceptional depth, refinement, and authenticity to every pen in the Iro-Miyabi collection.

The Legendary King of Pens Writing Experience

At the heart of every Sailor 1911 King of Pens Iro-Miyabi Fountain Pen lies Sailor’s acclaimed King of Pens nib, revered worldwide for its exceptional smoothness, responsiveness, and precision.

Designed for writers who demand the highest level of performance, the King of Pens offers a perfectly balanced writing experience that combines generous ink flow with Sailor’s signature tactile feedback. Whether used for daily writing, journaling, correspondence, or collecting, it delivers a writing experience worthy of its prestigious reputation.

The pen utilizes Sailor’s practical cartridge/converter filling system, allowing writers to enjoy a wide range of fountain pen inks while maintaining ease of use.

Key Features

• Sailor 1911 King of Pens Iro-Miyabi Fountain Pen
• Traditional Japanese Miyabi-nuri lacquer finish
• Available in four historically inspired Japanese colors
• Handcrafted by master lacquer artist Isana Kobayashi
• Decorated with pure gold and silver powder accents
• Luxurious urushi lacquer artistry with exceptional depth and texture
• Legendary Sailor King of Pens writing performance
• Cartridge/converter filling system
• Made in Japan

A Celebration of Japanese Heritage and Fine Writing

The Sailor 1911 King of Pens Iro-Miyabi Fountain Pen is more than a writing instrument—it is a tribute to Japanese culture, craftsmanship, and the enduring beauty of traditional lacquer art. By combining centuries-old urushi techniques with Sailor’s world-renowned nib craftsmanship, the Iro-Miyabi collection offers a truly exceptional fountain pen experience for collectors, enthusiasts, and lovers of Japanese artistry.

The Sailor King of Pens (KOP) fountain pen uses an oversized 21k gold nib and has a cartridge/converter filling mechanism.

About Sailor

Sailor pens was established in 1911 in Japan, becoming the first to produce fountain pens in their home country. They have subsequently built a first-class reputation in the manufacture of the highest quality nibs, with all parts made in their own factory in Hiroshima. Their flagship collections are the classic 1911 and boldly designed Professional Gear, all available with a 14k or 21k gold nib. The Sailor name comes from founder Kyugoro Sakata's British sailor friend who introduced him to fountain pens.