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http://i.imgur.com/L1KmlxA.jpg The Danitrio Mikado is the only repeat in my collection. And it's for a good reason. The pen is just an amazing writer and it's ebonite construction makes it incredibly well-balanced. I own one Ao (blue) Roiro-Migaki and one Shu (red) Roiro-Migaki Mikados in the flat-top version, clipless. They also available in the round-top version. Both flat- and round-top version are available with and without clips. http://i.imgur.com/JSkqnd0.jpg The signature is of Koichiro Okazaki, also known as Kogaku. He is a master Maki-e artist commissioned by Danitrio to do both urushi pens as well as Maki-e pens. I love that Danitrio's urushi pens are signed by the artist. It really makes a point of the man who put so much skill and work into making these pens a reality. The signature also just looks pretty cool =] http://i.imgur.com/k6ARh3S.jpg Interestingly, the Bock #8 nib, which most of the bigger Danitrio pens use, has changed slightly over time. The blue one has the older version, while the red one has the newer version. http://i.imgur.com/U5ep2cd.jpg From top: Danitrio Mikado in blue urushi, Danitrio Mikado in red urushi, Danitrio Densho in blue urushi, Danitrio Sho-Genkai in raw ebonite, and a Lamy Safari in charcoal. The Densho is an older pen that I got in a trade and the blue urushi is little lighter. The Densho is also an eyedropper but it has a #6-size nib. It's very light and comfortable and the clip makes it more convenient to carry but I much prefer the looks and writing experience of the Mikado. With it's large ink capacity and clip, it would make a great daily carry. http://i.imgur.com/yhABwkY.jpg The Mikado pens are Japanese eyedroppers, which is an eyedropper with a shut-off valve. You fill the pen with an eyedropper or syringe and when you want to write you unscrew the knob at the end and it opens up the valve. Here you can see the seal that meets with the inside of the section, cutting off ink-flow when the shut-off valve knob is screwed down. http://i.imgur.com/US5q6im.jpg The Mikado is a big pen! But it's very light for it's size and the large grip section is very comfortable for long writing periods. Underneath the Mikado is a Nakaya Piccolo. Nakaya pens are more normal-sized in width but for people who prefer oversized pens, I think Dantrio pens would generally be more comfortable. I'm not really qualified to determine the difference in urushi quality, but to my eyes both Danitrio and Nakaka look fantastic. Danitrio's urushi is done by master Maki-e artists though, which is why they have that nifty signature, that I love so much. http://i.imgur.com/oQtbCOo.jpg Even though the Mikado is really big capped, uncapped it's a very reasonable length. The nib is huge and proportional to it's size. http://i.imgur.com/rODHMY5.jpg http://i.imgur.com/sDqiNn0.jpg Danitrio Sho-Genkai with the old-style Bock #8 nib and Mikado with new-style Bock nib. http://i.imgur.com/i32l0to.jpg A trio of Danitrio eyedroppers. http://i.imgur.com/VhpKpZF.jpg A trio of Dantrio #8-size nibs. http://i.imgur.com/RYYol92.jpg http://i.imgur.com/KWdbwsc.jpg The red urushi is so bright and absolutely flawless. Kogaku, the Maki-e artist, who did the lacquer work on both my Mikado pens, did a fantastic job. http://i.imgur.com/ya2MuQk.jpg http://i.imgur.com/GbE1XuW.jpg Writing sample http://i.imgur.com/2ZUQ3Ik.jpg The fine nib has some slight feedback but is very smooth and a fantastic writer. The medium is just a bit bigger in writing width than the fine and has less feedback. The broad nib is ridiculously smooth and ridiculously wet, and much wider than the medium. It's a fun nib and would make a great starting point to a custom grind. http://i.imgur.com/uue0bLm.jpg From top: Blue Mikado, Red Mikado, Lamy Safari, Raw Ebonite Sho-Genkai, and Blue Densho. My next pen is either going to be a Namiki Emperor or a third Danitrio Mikado in a more exotic finish like Nashiji-nuri or one of the Hanazono collection colors. For my hand, it's just the perfect oversized pen.

My Danitrio's and Nakaya of a similar size... Danitrio Genkai, sho-genkai and Nakaya 17mm Portable Cigar in Ao Tamenuri…

Danitrio Sho-Genkai Here is my Danitrio Sho Genkai in the Tame- nuri finish. I managed to get a good price on the Sho-Genkai after purchasing the cheaper Hakkaku model, in Kuro- keshi (matte black) finish, from a US distributer. The Sho-Genkai is the “smaller” version of the big Genkai. Similarly there is a Sho-Hakkaku, which is a smaller version of the big Hakkaku I bought…although this is still nothing in comparison to the size of a Genkai! My original intension was actually to buy the Sho-Hakkaku or short octagon as it is commonly referred, in the Ki-dame (yellow) finish. With a crispy stub nib. I already have four Nakaya’s; the Deskpen, 17mm portable, Piccolo and Deccapod Twist, but the flat- top style of the Danitrio’s always appealed. Of course thay are twice the price of standard- model Nakaya’s. My Sho-Genkai has a firm Fine nib, but it actually writes like a slightly springy Western medium. The Danitrio nibs are made by Bock in Germany, which may explain the “fatness” of the Fine. Contrast this to Nakaya, who’s Fine nib’s are very fine indeed. I managed to snag two of the last remaining Ao- Tamenuri Nakaya’s in the 17mm Portable Cigar with a soft-fine nib with added flex, and a Deccapod Twist with a firm Fine nib. I actually prefer the firm Fine nib as its very wet and smooth with a touch of feedback. Perfect for journalling in my Hobonichi Techo’s Planner I actually find the Fine nib of the Danitrio too broad to use for journalling. The section is also much wider than I’m used to, but the pen still manages to stay light due to its ebonite material. Also important to note is the pen uses an eye- dropper filling system, and has a shut-off valve to control ink- flow. A great idea, but takes some getting used to. Here is the Sho-Genkai with my leather Nakaya pouch. It happens to be an exact fit for it. I used to keep my Nakaya Desk pen in there but it was always rattling around (due to its tapered end and slimmer profile). I do not believe Danitrio make dedicated leather pouches for their pens, but given their quirky shapes and sizes, they probably should. People used to Nakaya pens may expect Danitrio to be similar in terms of nibs and style. However, I find Danitrio to be quite different- far more western. The Tame- nuri finish isn’t quite as slick as Nakaya’s either. Also, Nakaya nibs are typically Asian, on the finer side and with a nice amount of feedback. These German bock nibs remind me more of Pelikan- and this pen did feel similar to the Fine-nibbed Pelikan M1000 I used to have. However, overall I am pleased with this Danitrio purchase and glad I finally got a Genkai, even if it is the smaller one. Unfortuntely, I am now already circling in on my next pen…the long awaited Sho-Hakkaku in Ki-dame finish!