Dragonflies have a special meaning to Japan, a country which also used to be known as "Akitsushima," or Dragonfly Island. There are over 172 species of dragonfly in residence nationwide. Their swarming season marks the transition from summer to autumn, and the beginning of the rice harvest. Symbolically, they stand for courage, perseverance, victory, and joy— a favorite motif for samurai families, many of whom chose to feature dragonflies in their family crests, and carved or painted them on their armaments. 

This pen is adorned with a scene of abalone-eyed golden dragonflies that hover and flit between stalks of bamboo growing up from the base of a mist-shrouded waterfall. The pen body is hand-turned from natural ebonite hard rubber in a rich russet color, and the Maki-e art incorporates a variety of precious materials, including gold and silver powders and raden. The result is a jewel-like artistic creation that is also highly durable and functional— designed to not just to be looked at, but to be used, handled, and appreciated.

The King of Pen utilizes Sailor's convenient cartridge-converter system: it can fill with any bottled fountain pen ink when fitted with the provided converter, and can also use Sailor brand disposable ink cartridges. A handsome presentation box adds to the pen's value and also its suitability as a very special gift item.