Namiki Yukari Ginkgo Limited Edition 2022: A Maki-e Fountain Pen Worth the Splurge

Introduction

Some pens earn their keep through specs. The Namiki Yukari Ginkgo Limited Edition 2022 earns it through presence. It is a limited edition of 300 pieces, finished with gold dust and burnished using the traditional Togidashi polishing technique, and it arrives packaged like the object of craft it is. At a retail price of $1,700 US, this is a splurge purchase, and the question is not whether it writes well (it does) but whether the artistry justifies the outlay. After spending real writing time with it, the answer for maki-e enthusiasts is a clear yes.

Unboxing and Presentation

The outer box has a cantaloupe skin-like texture, and opening it reveals another box, and then the pen itself, resting in a gold satin bed. The package includes a bottle of Namiki black ink and paperwork carrying the pen’s serial number. The paperwork is genuinely worth reading: it explains the symbolism behind the ginkgo motif, from its association with longevity and prosperity to its use in kimono designs and family crests. The box is not ridiculously oversized relative to the pen, which is a nice touch at this tier.

Design and Craftsmanship

The Ginkgo Limited Edition depicts ginkgo leaves on the cap and barrel using hira (flat) maki-e techniques, with kakiwari used on the golden leaves to render their veins clearly. Kakiwari is the lacquerware technique for applying gold dust without lacquer along boundary lines, and it gives the veins a crisp, etched quality. Gold dust is sprinkled across the whole pen, and the entire piece is finished with the burnished Togidashi technique. The artist has signed the work.

The leaves carry a slight texture while the gold dust feels smooth, and the effect is elegant rather than busy. The clip is engraved with the Namiki name and logo and ends in a round ball; it is a strong, sturdy clip, though this is a pen that rewards gentle handling.

In-Hand Feel and Sizing

The Yukari model is the heart of this pen’s appeal. Uncapped, the interior of the cap has a smooth velvet lining that protects the section threads, and the pen does post securely, though many writers will leave it unposted. The body is on the slender side but contains a brass sleeve, so it feels solid rather than flimsy: not heavy, just well-built.

Side by side, the Yukari is comparable in size to a Lamy Safari, arguably with nicer proportions, and clearly shorter and less girthy than oversized pens like a TWSBI 580 or Opus 88 Colora. Everything about the fit is smooth, from the threads to the cap, and it is one of those pens where hand fatigue simply does not become an issue over long writing sessions.

Nib and Writing Experience

The review unit carries a broad 18-karat two-tone nib in the number five size, with a gold hallmark, a single slit, a round breather hole, a rhodium-toned mountain top, and yellow gold everywhere else. It uses a plastic feed. The nib is noticeably smaller than something like a Pilot 15, which lets you get closer to the page for better control.

The filling system is Pilot’s proprietary Con-70, which also means the pen is easy to clean and maintain, even when filled with a glitter ink. One caveat: the nib is firm, not soft. The tines spread slightly under pressure to produce a wetter broad line, but the shoulders do not flex, so pressure is not the point. Write with a free weight and the nib simply glides. It is not a buttery, skating-on-ice smoothness, but a perfectly balanced interaction of nib on paper, producing remarkably consistent, uniform handwriting.

Care and Everyday Handling

A pen finished in urushi lacquer and maki-e asks for a little extra care. Wipe it down with a very soft microfiber cloth, store it in a plush fabric sleeve rather than leather, and keep it away from direct sunlight and intense heat. The upkeep is modest, and for a pen of this quality it is entirely worth it.

Buying Advice

The Yukari line offers several finishes, and the Ginkgo edition is one of the most distinctive. It retails for $1,700 US, and it has been available through specialty retailers such as Pen Chalet, which has occasionally offered discount codes that bring the price down somewhat. If you have money to splurge and want a genuinely special writing instrument rather than another workhorse, a Yukari is an easy recommendation, and the Ginkgo is a particularly joyful expression of the model. Just treat it gently and it will reward you for years.

Conclusion

The Namiki Yukari Ginkgo Limited Edition 2022 is a rare combination of traditional craftsmanship and everyday writability: burnished maki-e artistry, a comfortable slender body with a brass sleeve, a firm but flawless 18-karat nib, and a Con-70 filler that keeps maintenance simple. It is expensive, it is limited to 300 pieces, and it is exactly the kind of pen that makes the splurge feel worthwhile.