{"product_id":"pilot-maki-e-suisen","title":"Japanese \"Suisen\" Daffodil Maki-e Fountain Pen","description":"\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThree companies dominate Japanese fountain pen making, all established in the 1910's and 1920’s\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e,\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e and all motivated by their common desire to develop a superior Japanese counterpart to their Western competitors such as Waterman and Parker. Ironically, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003ethe \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003elatter companies have lost their once top dog positions in the 'fountain pen world', while Sailor, Pilot and Platinum today represent the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eH\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eoly \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eT\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003erinity of excellence in writing utensils. The main and defining reason for this accolade is the fact that all three companies supervise their production from beginning to end within their very own factories. No subcontracting \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003ee\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003ensures total quality control, and private ownership protects their original vision and enthusiasm for pen making. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eUrushi lacquer (or \u003ci data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003emaki-e\u003c\/i\u003e) first used in Japan around 300BC, is a symbol for status, prosperity and discerning taste. It is therefore unsurprising that Sailor, Platinum and Pilot\/ Namiki sought to apply this quintessentially Japanese technique to pen making early on during the 1920s. Beyond its aesthetic merit, the urushi lacquer acts as a protective casing as it is acid free, alkaline free and resistant to both heat and water. \u003ci data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eMaki-e\u003c\/i\u003e comprises a broad range of techniques but translates essentially \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eto\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e 'sprinkled picture'. The choice of subject matter, through symbolism and allegory, reveals the individual expression of the \u003ci data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003emaki-e\u003c\/i\u003e artist as well as hinting to a feeling, personality and individual circumstances of the pen owner.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eIn this instanc\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003ee,\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e the subject matter of daffodils is well codified in the Hanakotoba, a sort of dictionary of the meanings of flowers. A flower native to Europe and Northern Africa, the daffodil symbolises respect, making this pen a perfect gift for elders, a superior at work or anyone who you wish to convey respect and admiration for.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eBack to pens - aesthetics aside, Pilot maintains its pole position for nib quality and this pen is no exception. We wholly recommend this beautiful implement as a gift or for any pen lover's collection.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eDetails\u003c\/span\u003e:\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eBody material: \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eHand applied urushi lacquer with \u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003emaki-e\u003c\/em\u003e inlay.\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eNib size: Medium\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eNib material: \u003c\/em\u003e14k gold\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eCap type: \u003c\/em\u003eThreaded screw-on cap\u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eCartridge type: \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eTakes Pilot cartridges which can be found \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/choosingkeeping.com\/products\/pilot-12-pack-ink-cartridges?_pos=3\u0026amp;_sid=3a6d0a8fc\u0026amp;_ss=r\"\u003ehere\u003c\/a\u003e and is sold with a refillable Con-70 converter in the barrel for use with bottled ink. Can also be used with a Con-40 converter, which can be found \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/choosingkeeping.com\/products\/pilot-converter-cardridge-con-40-and-con-70?_pos=1\u0026amp;_sid=238eef626\u0026amp;_ss=r\u0026amp;variant=17140128677931\"\u003ehere\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eDimensions: \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e14cm capped, 12cm uncapped, 15.5cm posted.\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eIncluded: \u003c\/em\u003epresentation box, converter cartridge, one black ink cartridge.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eMade in Japan\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Choosing Keeping","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43929692602615,"sku":"17972","price":380.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0695\/0673\/files\/CopyrightChoosingKeeping20230301BS17972RT.jpg?v=1700049200","url":"https:\/\/choosingkeeping.com\/products\/pilot-maki-e-suisen","provider":"Choosing Keeping","version":"1.0","type":"link"}