Namiki Limited Edition Manekineko Fountain Pen

Namiki Limited Edition 2016 Manekineko Fountain Pen

When Fortune Beckons

The Namiki Limited Edition Manekineko Fountain Pen is inspired by Japan's beloved feline figurine since the Edo period (1603 - 1868), Namiki pays homage to the legend of the beckoning cat with the release of the Namiki Limited Edition Manekineko 2016 fountain pen.  Beautifully handcrafted by Maki-e artisan Masaru Hayashi, only 99 pieces of this exquisite beauty is released worldwide - making it a true prized collection to behold.

According to Japanese folklore, a cat saved a Samurai leader's life from being struck by lightning when it beckoned him with its raised paw.  The cats are hence pampered as auspicious creatures that bring people good fortune.  Believed to usher in good luck, fortune and business prosperity, the figurine of the well-dressed cat sitting with a front paw raised are mostly prominently positioned at the entrances to home and shops as a form of talisman.

A cat holding oval-shaped gold coins with its right paw raised in its bid for good fortune is depicted on the cap of the fountain pen using Taka (raised) Maki-e technique, the highest level of advanced Maki-e techniques.  Motifs of gold coins, mallet of luck and a Senryo-bako used for storing large numbers of gold coins are drawn around Manekineko - forming an auspicious combination that is bound to usher in financial riches.

Depicted on the barrel of the pen lies another Manekineko holding on to an Oh-iri-bukuro with its left paw raised, signifying the wish for business prosperity.  An oh-iri-bukuro is a traditional envelope bag filled with money and distributed as a congratulatory prize whenever a Sum tournament is held or when a Kabuki play is performed before a packed audience.  The cat is portrayed against a background comprising symbols of auspicious events and lucky omens in Japanese culture, including a pine tree, bamboo and a plum tree.

An exceptional masterpiece to own, the Namiki Limited Edition 2016 Manekineko fountain pen features an 18-karat gold nib with rhodium accents and is elegantly presented in a luxurious box that imitates a Senryo-bako.  Each set is accompanied by a serial number plate resembling a small gold coin, an Oh-iri-bukuro containing a five-yen coin and a special ink bottle that bears the beautiful depiction of a pine tree, bamboo and plum tree.  Appealing to discerning pen collectors worldwide, the Namiki Limited Edition Manekineko 2016 fountain pen is truly a highly sought-after gem.

The Namiki Limited Edition 2016 Manekineko Fountain Pen is limited in allocation.  Do contact us at sales@elephant-coral.com or visit us at Mandarin Gallery to view this pen.

About Namiki

Namiki is the surname of Ryosuke Namiki, the founder of the Pilot, named Namiki Manufacturing Company until 1938 when it became Pilot Pen Co., Ltd.. The brand name Namiki came to fame in the early 20th Century when Dunhill retailed in the west the Maki-e pens produced by Pilot under the brand Dunhill-Namiki. This partnership has continued to the present day (occasionally Namiki makes a Limited Edition for Dunhill) although Namiki has always been owned by Pilot.

The premium Namiki ranges include the Emperor Collection, Yukari Royale, and Yukari Collection, and this is the brand used by Pilot to sell their the high valued Maki-e pens worldwide.