Maki-e Comparison Review!

[QM2]

From Bottom to Top:

 

Platinum Pens: Rabbit and Moon Maki-e

Namiki Nippon Art: Courtesan

Namiki Nippon Art: Mount Fuji and Fishing Boat

Sailor Resin Maki-e: Mimisuku Owl, old version

 

http://queenmargot.com/makie1_0408.jpg

 

These are all gorgeous pens and each was a perfect writer straight from the box. In this side-by-side review, I will focus both on their functionality as fountain pens, and on the quality and aesthetic value of their maki-e.

 

MAKI-E: QUALITY AND VALUE

 

To begin with, I should note that all of these pens are examples of what I would classify as "lower-end maki-e". As oxymoronic as that may sound, it reflects the fact that these pens are towards the lower end of the spectrum of what kind of decorative treatments are available in the world of maki-e pens. Although usually described on vendor websites as "Hira Maki-e" (i.e. hand-painted maki-e with gold and shell sprinkles), I would describe these more accurately as "semi-Hira Maki-e", the reason being that each pen is not entirely hand-painted but at least partly screened. This might be a controversial observation to make, but anybody who is an artist with experience in both painting and printmaking can see immediately whether an image is hand-painted or screen-printed. And it is fairly obvious to me, that neither of these pens are 100% hand-painted. I knew this in advance before purchasing each of the pens, so it was neither a surprise nor a disappointment to me. I wanted these pens because I liked the images, and having found beyond-excellent deals price-wise, I purchased each of them gladly and collected these four over the course of about six months. However, you should be aware that the kind of maki-e you will get on these pens, is on a different level from a custom-made Nakaya or Danitrio, where the images are hand-painted from scratch.

 

What do I mean by screened Maki-e, rather than hand-painted? Since images speak louder than words, I will show you:

http://www.pensinasia.com/Nammfbfp65.jpg

On this close-up image (from Pens in Asia) of the Namiki Mt. Fuji & Fishing Boat Pen, you can clearly see, that the start and end of the image do not match up when the image comes full circle around the pen. That is because it was applied via screen printing, rather than being hand-painted. On other pens this "seam" is less obvious because the images are not as continuous and there is black space on both sides. But this particular design makes it very obvious indeed.

 

Here is how I would rate the pens I have in terms of the degree to which their maki-e is screened vs handpainted:

 

Platinum Rabbit and Moon: mostly screened, with possibly gold dust hand-sprinked over some areas, as well as a hand-painted maki-e signature of the artist. This pen is also the least refined in terms of detail. There are large blocks of space with no color variation, such as the moon, the cloud, and the rabbit's body. To be clear, this does not make the rabbit any less adorable and the effect of the image any less charming. I am talking purely about the technical aspects of the maki-e here, and technically speaking, they are less refined than in the other pens.

 

Namiki Nippon Art Mt Fuji & Nippon Art Courtesan: I cannot find any hand-painted aspects on these pens aside from the artists' signatures. The images look like decals, and I would seriously hesitate before advertising these as Hira-Maki-e as some vendors do. Again, the images are gorgeous. But there is no way these are hand-painted, with the exception of perhaps some gold accents here and there. At least with the Courtesan there is no visible "seam" in the image, but on the Mt. Fuji pen, the seam is quite obvious.

 

Sailor Resin Maki-e Mimisuku Owl (old version): This pen has the most hand-painted qualities. I believe that the base image was screened but then the artist went over it by hand, adding a number of detailed elements and personalised touches. The owl's eyes are made of abalone shells which catch the light and change color from violet to silver to green, giving the owl a mischivous, darting-eyes appearance. Evidence of hand-painting is also visible in the lines of the branches, and in the variety of other marks in the design. The image on this pen looks less like "graphic art" and more like an actual mini-painting.

 

 

MAKI-E & PEN DESIGN INTEGRATION

 

In my opinion, hardware on a pen interferes with Maki-e. The more hardware there is (clip, trim, section ring, cap ring, etc., etc.), the more it interferes with the Maki-e. For me, an ideal Maki-e pen would be trimless and clipless. Unfortunately, only custom-made maki-e allow that option, whereas these more mass-produced models do not. So here is how I would rate the pens I have in terms of Maki-e and pen-design integration:

 

Platinum Rabbit and Moon: When the cap is removed, there is no hardware on the uncapped pen and it looks wonderful. But the cap has an enormous metal cap ring and hunk of a clip, which totally overwhelm the artwork.

 

Namiki Nippon Art Mt Fuji & Nippon Art Courtesan: Minimal hardware interference. There are two hair-thin end rings, and a clip, the shape of which goes harmoneously with the maki-e rather than contradicts this. I am willing to deal with the hardware in this pen.

 

Sailor Resin Maki-e Mimisuku Owl (old version): Far too much gold hardware; it is overwhelming and detrimental to the design. Even when the cap is removed, this remains the case.

 

PEN SIZE, DESIGN, COMFORT

 

All of these pens are comfortable and well designed. The Maki-e does not interfere with holding the pen. I post my caps, and have not had a problem (yet) with this effecting the artwork. The Sailor maki-e is the smaller 1911 model, so it is he thinnest of the pens. The Namikis I personally find the most comfortable to hold. The Platinum is slightly wider than the Namikis, but shorter (not counting the nibs). All the pens have resin sections, so the gripping area is extremely comfortable and contains no maki-e. The cap on the Platinum snaps on; the other pens twist. The Namiki pens have a push-button filling system, which looks like converters but I think might be built into the pens? The Platinum and Sailor have the regular twist-converters and also accept cartridges. In terms of weight, all are pretty light, but teh Sailor and Platinum are slightly heavier than the Namiki because they have more metal hardware.

 

http://queenmargot.com/makie2_0408.jpg

 

NIBS

 

All these pens had smooth, flawlessly-writing nibs straight out of the box. Since these are Japanese, keep in mind that a Fine is more like a Western Extra-Fine, and an Extra-Fine is more like a needlepoint. In terms of flex, I would say that Sailor is the stiffest, Namiki is the springiest, and Platinum is close to Namiki. All the nibs are gold: The Sailor is 21K yellow gold; the Namikis are 14K yellow-gold; the Platinum is 14K yellow gold. The Platinum nib is the least decorated. The Platinum nib is also huge in comparison to the others. Here is a side-by side comparison between the Namiki and the Platinum nibs:

 

http://queenmargot.com/makie3_0408.jpg

 

As you can see, the Platinum pen body itself is actually smaller than the Namiki, but the nib is almost 50% bigger than Namiki's. The nib on the Sailor is similar in size to Namiki's.

 

CONCLUSIONS AND OVERALL PREFERENCES

 

Overall, I prefer the Namiki pens in this category of Maki-e to the others. The images are my favourite, even though they do look distinctly print-like as opposed to painterly. Also, the pens look the best because of the lack of hardware interference. Finally, personally I prefer Namiki nibs tp those of Sailor and Platinum.

 

Would I get more maki-e pens of the same caliber, or save up for the "real deal" from Nakaya or Danitrio? Well, I would not get any additional Sailor or Platinum maki-es from these collections, because the metal hardware really bothers me actually. I am ok having one of each and do not want to sell them, but I do not want more of them. The Namikis however, I do want more of, but only if I can find them for the same low prices as I lucked out with the two I already have. I would not get them for anywhere close to full retail-price, however, because I think the quality of maki-e is not worth what the vendors are asking for these pens. So I would buy more if I could find them in the $350 or less range new (it does happen!), but not beyond that.

 

As for the "real deal". Well, those things cost over a thousand dollars on the lower end, if you want proper maki-e pictures and not just urushi with a few sprinkles. Whether you think it is worth it depends on your point of view. I have not yet found a 100% hand-painted maki-e pen that is both in my price range and has an image that I actually like on it, and two separate attempts to order a custom design have ended in misunderstanding or disaster. And if I am paying that much for a pen, then I really REALLY need to like the image and not just be contented that it is hand-painted and therefore of value. With the pens in this review, I love all the images and truly enjoy using and looking at my pens. I am aware that they are only "semi-"Hira Maki-e, but that does not lessen my enjoyment of them.

 

When making a decision, just make sure to consider the prices in the context of what kind of maki-e it is, and most importantly, make sure you like the image, as maki-e is meant to be visually enjoyed!

 

Hope this was useful,

QM2

 

 

Edited April 27, 2008 by QM2

[NeoTiger]

Hi, thanks for the really informative and interesting review. Very useful comparison between the big 3 japanese brands.

 

For the Pilot/Namiki pens, I'm thinking their filling system might be the CON-70 push button converter?

[QM2]

  NeoTiger said:

For the Pilot/Namiki pens, I'm thinking their filling system might be the CON-70 push button converter?

 

Yes, I think that's the one. I can't say that I am crazy about it, as twist converters are easier to control. Do twist converters exist for Pilot/Namiki pens?..

 

 

[Immoteus]

  QM2 said:

  NeoTiger said:

For the Pilot/Namiki pens, I'm thinking their filling system might be the CON-70 push button converter?

 

Yes, I think that's the one. I can't say that I am crazy about it, as twist converters are easier to control. Do twist converters exist for Pilot/Namiki pens?..

Yes, but it holds less ink than the carts. Refilling carts would be an better option or converting the pen into an eyedropper.

[QM2]

  Immoteus said:

  QM2 said:

  NeoTiger said:

For the Pilot/Namiki pens, I'm thinking their filling system might be the CON-70 push button converter?

 

Yes, I think that's the one. I can't say that I am crazy about it, as twist converters are easier to control. Do twist converters exist for Pilot/Namiki pens?..

Yes, but it holds less ink than the carts. Refilling carts would be an better option or converting the pen into an eyedropper.

 

Thanks,

 

I've gone the "refilling cartridges" route, but really do not have time for that activity with my job and the 100s of other things I do. And I am not an eyedropper fan, though in theory I think it is a neat idea. Looks like the push-button converter stays then!

 

QM2

[NeoTiger]

Pilot have a CON-50 converter which is the screw piston type, and a CON-20 which is a squeeze sac type (but can't see ink inside).

 

The CON-70 does hold more ink that either of them though.

[Tsujigiri]

Wow, great review! I've never heard of the machine-screened process, that's really good to know. What are these pens made out of? I know the Sailor is resin, but are the others also resin, or ebonite?

[QM2]

  Tsujigiri said:

Wow, great review! I've never heard of the machine-screened process, that's really good to know. What are these pens made out of? I know the Sailor is resin, but are the others also resin, or ebonite?

 

Thanks : )

 

When I was considering my first Maki-e, I really wished there was a side-by-side comparison of these brands -- so hopefully this helps some people out.

 

The pens are all resin as far as I know, not ebonite. Also: even the background lacquer on them feels radically different than the Nakaya urushi, so it must be some other process they use as opposed to urushi. I really cannot stress that these pens are in a different category from the truly hand-painted instruments.

 

QM2

 

 

 

Edited April 27, 2008 by QM2

[Idiopathos]

Thank you, QM2, for an educational and eye-opening post.

[goodguy]

Thank you for this interesting and beautiful review.

I have learned a lot in this review.I actualy had lots of questions about Maki-e pens and I think you answered most of them in this lovely review.

Thanks

[Brian]

Thanks for this most informative review. I tend to share the same appreciation for Namiki having tried Platinum, Sailor, and Danitrio as well. From a strictly writing and using POV I like the Namikis more because: (1) the push button convertor is one of the best I have ever used; (2) the overall fit and finish are superior; and (3) the feeling of balance unposted works well and does feel 'just right'.

[QM2]

  Brian said:

Thanks for this most informative review. I tend to share the same appreciation for Namiki having tried Platinum, Sailor, and Danitrio as well. From a strictly writing and using POV I like the Namikis more because: (1) the push button convertor is one of the best I have ever used; (2) the overall fit and finish are superior; and (3) the feeling of balance unposted works well and does feel 'just right'.

 

Having now owned these pens for even longer than at the time of the comparison review, I admit that I find myself gravitating almost exclusively toward the two Namikis. I agree with your reasons for preferring it, with the exception of the push button converters: I find these somewhat frustrating to use -- possibly because my fingernails get in the way. I will also add that I love Namiki's old style ball-end clip, whereas I don't love the straight and flat clips used by the other pens. Both aesthetically and nib-wise, the Namiki maki-es just seem to have an edge over the other two brands.

[georges zaslavsky]

maki e are too expensive for me but for what concerns nibs I would rather get the sailor and the nakaya over the namiki.

[Epictete92]

Excellente comparaison et article

Thanks for this brillant post

[Frits B]

A very informative review. I might add that the pictorial ability of the artists used by the various companies counts for much. Sailor's artists seem to have trouble drawing animals and birds. Just look at the mimizuku owl (a Japanese scops owl) and compare it to the hawk owl depicted on Namiki's LE; the hawk owl is lifelike (Ninox scutulata), the mimizuku is just a caricature. Sailor made a 1911 with cats for Regina Martini some years ago; the cats look like dogs. Nakaya offers cats that are totally alive. This may be a matter of money; both Namiki and Nakaya cost more than the Sailors.

 

[QM2]

Hello Frits,

 

That is a nicely done pen you've posted!

 

I think the differences in images you are referring to, have to do with style rather than quality. For example, I believe the Sailor Owl is supposed to have a fairy-tale illustration look to it, rather than the look of a realist animal painting. Different people prefer different styles. And I think that both Namiki and Sailor have maki-e models with realist as well as illustration-like images.

 

I now have better photos of my pens, so I include them here:

 

http://queenmargot.com/makie_all1.jpg

 

http://queenmargot.com/makie_all2.jpg

 

http://queenmargot.com/makie_all3.jpg

 

http://queenmargot.com/makie_namiki1.jpg

 

http://queenmargot.com/makie_namiki2.jpg

 

http://queenmargot.com/makie_sailor.jpg

 

http://queenmargot.com/makie_platinum.jpg

Edited December 1, 2008 by QM2

[Frits B]

The cats are part of Nakaya's special order production. Available in a number of pen shapes. Mine is the long cigar model, without clip. From the same original customer there is a dog (cocker spaniel) and a fish (arowana). Not Japanese at all, but very skilfully done.

These are Regina Martini's cats (pic lifted from her website):

 

 

Very limited series, 30 pieces, by Katsunobu Nishihara.

[Siv]

It's worth mentioning that the style of the picture has almost nothing to do with the manufacturer. These are all hand painted (well the cheaper ones may be screen printed and finished by hand) so the style depends on the artist that is used. Of course, each manufacturer has their preferred artists so you may see a common style from an individual manufacturer but the fact is, they could use absolutely anyone to to the maki-e so you can end up as realistic as an Old Master or as strange as a Picasso...

[nicholasyeo]

I bought the Namiki Origami Crane and kept it for some time as well but then let go

as it is not the best Maki-e. I think I'd rather have the money and save for a better

Namiki or perhaps, Sailor/Nakaya.

[Pemako]

The Nakaya pen with the cat is awesome and I am sure that the price reflects that fact... Thanks for all the pictures and interesting discussion.