Similar to Tame-Sukashi and often used in conjunction with it, Yakou Maki-e involves creating a painted motif under layers of clear smooth Urushi lacquer. In Yakou Maki-e, however, the motif itself is painted in black Urushi over a Tame-Nuri base.

The wisest of the forest creatures perches, flies, and observes its surroundings in Nakaya's Portable Cigar Forest of Owl Midori fountain pen. Created using Yakou Maki-e technique, the stealthy owls will become even more visible as the urushi lacquer matures and the underlying green Midori color shows through more clearly.

Every part of the cap and barrel is covered with owls in some shape or form, including the gripping section. The bright green Midori seen on the threads gives a hint of the color the pen will take on as time passes and the urushi matures.

Using Yakou Maki-e technique, the artist applies a Tame-nuri base of Midori urushi, and then paints the owls over this layer using black urushi lacquer. You can feel the raised texture of the owns from cap to tail. The dark coloring of the owls seems to match the mysterious nature of the forest at night.

Beyond its intriguing appearance, this is also a terrific writing instrument that is entirely suitable for everyday usage. Nakaya pens can be filled with bottled ink using the provided converter and can also use Platinum brand cartridges. Hand-painted Maki-e converters are also available.

The Nakaya Portable Cigar Forest of Owl Midori fountain pen can be furnished with any of the standard range of Nakaya 14k single-tone nibs in your choice of tipping size. Plated and two-tone nibs are also offered at a premium cost.
These smooth-writing nibs are also well-suited to customizations including Stub, Cursive Italic, or Left Oblique, as well as the modification for added flex.

Nakaya pens ship in a solid softwood shipping box decorated with Japanese Kanji script and lined with decorative rice paper. A fabric pen kimono and starter box of Platinum brand cartridges are also included, making this pen a lovely presentation item. Sensible and 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 before it ships.