Nakaya Naka-ai Cigar Shobu
Designed by Nakaya master pen designer Shinichi Yoshida in collaboration with Classic Fountain Pen's John Mottishaw, the Naka-ai, with its peaked ends and tapered body, combines many of Nakaya’s most distinctive design features in a single model. "Naka-ai" has the meaning of middle or in-between, and brings to mind the Middle Way of Buddhist practice with its emphasis on balance, integrity, and centeredness. Appropriately enough, the Naka-ai occupies a midway position between Nakaya's smaller Piccolo series pens and the longer Deskpen - this is a pen that will be a very comfortable fit for most pen users.
The rich dark purple of Shobu Urushi is elegantly showcased on this Nakaya Naka-ai fountain pen.
A rhodium-plated nib emphasizes the dark coolness of this design - this pen can also be equipped with a standard single-tone yellow gold nib for a warmer effect. With dark ruthenium plating, on the other hand, an almost Gothic appearance is achieved. Regardless of the nib, the lush Shobu purple makes this a memorable writing instrument.
Like all Nakaya Urushi pens, the Naka-ai is made from hand-turned ebonite hard rubber, the classic material for quality fountain pens. Urushi lacquer finishing is then done in the Wajima region on the west coast of Japan, the traditional home of this long-venerated craft.
Measurements & Specifications
Cap Type | Threaded |
Closed Length | 5.9" |
Postable | Not Postable |
Barrel Length | 4.5" |
Section Diameter | 0.4" |
Cartridge Capacity | 1.5 ml |
Converter Capacity | 0.5 ml |
Ink Capacity | 1.5 ml |
Filling System | Cartridge-Converter |
Pen Weight | 23.8 g |
Barrel Diameter | 0.6 |