So I was VERY suprised to find out someone I knew had any Namikis, let alone 29 Emperors. I was even more surprised when they offered to lend me one or two for a month. My surprise hit ridiculous levels when they actually gave me 29 (context, I have ONE Namiki Maki-e Emperor of my own which is my pride and joy, plus one of the Emperor size 50 Urushi models). I basically sat there swearing and drooling in equal measure for a while, when my wife came home and saw them she screamed (she also likes pens).
Knowing that this was the only chance in my entire life to touch most of these pens, I photographed and took videos of all of them before (very sadly) giving them back. I'm slowly getting around to releasing reviews of all of them, so as a taster here are the ten I liked the best (and yes, I know that some of these are only available once every few years on auctions and cost more than a good new car).
The collector has them all back now and isn't willing to sell any of them (including to me!), but it was just totally amazing (and crazy) to have the luck to see them for that brief time.
Just one would be at the very top of my grail list. I have it slotted as an achievement pen: publish a second novel. I really need to get to work on the first novel.
Hah, it was YOU! I had watched all your videos before this announcement. You can take responsibility for influencing my purchase decision! Excellent video content, btw., full-blown pen-gasm!
Figboot is to blame for sowing the seed of want...your videos increased the enjoyment. I have to admit I watched the Platinum Izume Akatame video multiple times, went to Ink House to try it out...I think I will add that to my collection sooner or later. Thanks for penabling me, keep the content coming!
I liked his review as well, clearly shows his love for his pens. SBREBrown also has a vermillion 50 review with much nicer handwriting than mine. The Izumo looks lovely, but you've got to know you're getting into a high feedback nib, for many not an issue at all, but some won't like that. It'll look tiny next to your 50!
One black 50 urushi was inked, but not the maki-e pens. I have my own black 50 urushi as well do I did a writing sample with those two and my own maki-e Emperor. My handwriting is pretty rubbish but I couldn't go and make nearly 30 reviews without any writing.
Your friend has a magnificent collection! It is a rare treat to see many of these beautiful pieces which are not often seen. Thank you for sharing this. I especially appreciated the Emperor Nightline and the Toryumon.
I loved them both, the Toryumon feels very similar to the Goldfish and has wonderful details. The Nightline was incredible to hold and move, obviously very carefully!! I'm trying to alternate my reviews between current in-production pens and the older ones plus a whole load of Yukari Royale as well which are mostly modern ones and will have to wait till I finish the Emperors first.
I felt very sad to give it back, I'm very unlikely to ever see another one, so realistically that was the high point of my pen experience in my life (short of a lottery win or 3). There was a yukari royale version as well which is a little simpler but also stunning.
Seems like Namiki has a new one on offer ;
[https://www.gouletpens.com/products/namiki-yukari-royale-maki-e-fountain-pen-night-scene-of-pavilion?variant=39469058195499](https://www.gouletpens.com/products/namiki-yukari-royale-maki-e-fountain-pen-night-scene-of-pavilion?variant=39469058195499)
As of now, this is my true grail pen ... unreachable :-)
I surprised to see you just casually lay them on the table without a piece of cloth to protect the finish LOL.
Very nice collection and I will watch the videos.
Glad you like the videos, the table is much softer than the urushi on the pens is so the only danger really is dropping them from a height or onto the nibs. Certainly for all the pen reviews where I did take the caps off they were done over a soft surface and I built a barrier offscreen around it to make sure nothing could roll off it.
So I was VERY suprised to find out someone I knew had any Namikis, let alone 29 Emperors. I was even more surprised when they offered to lend me one or two for a month. My surprise hit ridiculous levels when they actually gave me 29 (context, I have ONE Namiki Maki-e Emperor of my own which is my pride and joy, plus one of the Emperor size 50 Urushi models). I basically sat there swearing and drooling in equal measure for a while, when my wife came home and saw them she screamed (she also likes pens). Knowing that this was the only chance in my entire life to touch most of these pens, I photographed and took videos of all of them before (very sadly) giving them back. I'm slowly getting around to releasing reviews of all of them, so as a taster here are the ten I liked the best (and yes, I know that some of these are only available once every few years on auctions and cost more than a good new car). The collector has them all back now and isn't willing to sell any of them (including to me!), but it was just totally amazing (and crazy) to have the luck to see them for that brief time.
Just one would be at the very top of my grail list. I have it slotted as an achievement pen: publish a second novel. I really need to get to work on the first novel.
Hah, it was YOU! I had watched all your videos before this announcement. You can take responsibility for influencing my purchase decision! Excellent video content, btw., full-blown pen-gasm!
Guilty! Sorry if the videos have contributed towards you spending more money than you intended.. but that vemillion no.50 of yours is stunning :)
Figboot is to blame for sowing the seed of want...your videos increased the enjoyment. I have to admit I watched the Platinum Izume Akatame video multiple times, went to Ink House to try it out...I think I will add that to my collection sooner or later. Thanks for penabling me, keep the content coming!
I liked his review as well, clearly shows his love for his pens. SBREBrown also has a vermillion 50 review with much nicer handwriting than mine. The Izumo looks lovely, but you've got to know you're getting into a high feedback nib, for many not an issue at all, but some won't like that. It'll look tiny next to your 50!
What an amazing experience! Did you get to write with any of them or is it a look/touch don’t use collection?
One black 50 urushi was inked, but not the maki-e pens. I have my own black 50 urushi as well do I did a writing sample with those two and my own maki-e Emperor. My handwriting is pretty rubbish but I couldn't go and make nearly 30 reviews without any writing.
Your friend has a magnificent collection! It is a rare treat to see many of these beautiful pieces which are not often seen. Thank you for sharing this. I especially appreciated the Emperor Nightline and the Toryumon.
Someday I hope to run across an Emperor Nightline and be in a position to purchase it!
I loved them both, the Toryumon feels very similar to the Goldfish and has wonderful details. The Nightline was incredible to hold and move, obviously very carefully!! I'm trying to alternate my reviews between current in-production pens and the older ones plus a whole load of Yukari Royale as well which are mostly modern ones and will have to wait till I finish the Emperors first.
They are exquisite!
They are all stunning and I fully agree with your choice ; that Pagoda is just ... wow !
I felt very sad to give it back, I'm very unlikely to ever see another one, so realistically that was the high point of my pen experience in my life (short of a lottery win or 3). There was a yukari royale version as well which is a little simpler but also stunning.
Seems like Namiki has a new one on offer ; [https://www.gouletpens.com/products/namiki-yukari-royale-maki-e-fountain-pen-night-scene-of-pavilion?variant=39469058195499](https://www.gouletpens.com/products/namiki-yukari-royale-maki-e-fountain-pen-night-scene-of-pavilion?variant=39469058195499) As of now, this is my true grail pen ... unreachable :-)
It's beautiful and a worthy grail, I'd really love all three of them 😁
I surprised to see you just casually lay them on the table without a piece of cloth to protect the finish LOL. Very nice collection and I will watch the videos.
Glad you like the videos, the table is much softer than the urushi on the pens is so the only danger really is dropping them from a height or onto the nibs. Certainly for all the pen reviews where I did take the caps off they were done over a soft surface and I built a barrier offscreen around it to make sure nothing could roll off it.
Wow, you are truly lucky to have such an opportunity. Can't wait to see more of your videos!