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Nakaya

Nakaya Naka-ai Writer Ascending Dragon Aka-tamenuri

Nakaya Naka-ai Writer Ascending Dragon Aka-tamenuri

Regular price $1,735.00 USD
Regular price Sale price $1,735.00 USD
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The Nakaya Naka-ai Writer Aka-tamenuri Ascending Dragon fountain pen exhibits two forms of ascent. The dragon rises up the body of the pen from the pen's tapered tail to the cap. At the same time a much slower ascent occurs as the maki-e gold dragon under-painting slowly emerges from the layers of semi-transparent urushi lacquer. This is known as the Tame-Sukashi technique as practiced by Nakaya Pen Co.

Designed by Nakaya master pen designer Shinichi Yoshida in collaboration with John Mottishaw, the Naka-ai shape, with its cone-shaped 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.

At first glance this pen may appear to be another Naka-ai Aka-tamenuri (Reddish-Red) fountain pen, but upon closer examination the image of a golden dragon can be seen through the deep layers of Urushi.

The fascinating feature of this pen is that the image literally ""ascends"" with use as the image of the dragon comes up as the pen is handled. In this slow process the owner's hand and everyday wear will give this pen the beauty of age. The smooth tapered shape of the Naka-ai model also adds to the illusion of an ascending dragon. As the pen slopes to its fullest point, the dragon appears to rise to the top as well.
The cap and barrel are hand-turned from high quality ebonite, the classic material for high quality fountain pens. Ebonite pens produced a hundred years ago and more are still in everyday usage with many aficionados.

The Naka-ai Aka-tamenuri Ascending Dragon can be filled with bottled ink using the provided converter. Nakaya pens can also use Platinum brand ink cartridges. Hand-painted Maki-e converters are also available.
A gold clip allows the pen to be affixed to a shirt pocket and complements the warm tones of the Aka-tamenuri finish.

Nakaya pens ship in a solid softwood shipping box decorated with Japanese Kanji script. A fabric pen ""kimono"" and starter box of Platinum brand cartridges are also included, making this pen a lovely presentation item. Elegant packaging has long been a hallmark of the Nakaya brand.
Nakaya pens are individually handcrafted in a process that requires a minimum of three to six months and often much longer.
Unless requested otherwise, each pen or nib you purchase from us will be carefully examined, tested, and optimized for your personal writing characteristics.

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