Namiki Limited Edition The Peacock Fountain Pen

The peacock is a very beautiful and exotic bird. The Indian (Blue) Peacock, the subject of this treasured pen, is a robust bird able to withstand a cooler climate. At the tip of its well-developed tail-feather train are numerous green and blue eyespots that shine brightly as they reflect light.

During the mating season, the male bird deploys its tail feathers in a fan-shape to attract the female. The tail feathers are replaced every year with a new array of brilliant hue.There are three species of wild peacocks: The Indian (Blue) Peacock, the Javanese Green Peacock and the Congo Peacock.

In India, from ancient times, peacocks are reputed to have eaten poisonous snakes. They were also believed to be able to sense the approach of the rainy season. Both these powers were deified, eventually leading to the advent of a peacock deity, known as Mahamayuri. Therefore, peacocks figure extensively in Buddhism. A century or so after Buddhism was introduced into Japan, this Mahamayuri concept entered Japan during the Nara period (710 - 784). Mahamayuri was worshipped, as it was believed that it had the power to counteract poisons of all kinds, ensure good health and invoke rain.

Ancient records show that in 597, peacocks were brought to Japan from Silla (Korea) and presented to people of exalted positions in society. They are very beautiful and rare birds and appear in Japanese paintings as well as on hanging scrolls (Kakeziku) and screens (Byoubu), and for door decorations (Fusuma). There are many such outstanding works of art still in existence today.

Only 80 Peacock limited edition pens have been made, worldwide. The body of the Yukari Royale pen has been decorated by skilled artisan Masato Sato employing refined Maki-e techniques. These include the Hira Maki-e technique (gold powder sprinkled onto lacquer and polished), the Togidashi Maki-e technique (lacquer layer burnished to reveal the design beneath), and the Taka Maki-e technique (high relief designs). A Raden mother-of-pearl technique is used for the tip of the tail feathers and particles are embedded to depict the eyespots on the magnificent tail. The pen cap features a peahen and peony flowers. The peony is known as the king of flowers in the East, where it is considered to be the supreme flower.

A Hakone wood mosaic box has been specially made for this series. During the Edo period (1603 - 1869), wooden mosaic parquetry was a major export product and the exquisite craftsmanship earned its artisans an excellent reputation. At that time, these artifacts were made in many locations in Japan including Nagano, Shimane and Hyogo. However, today, the only remaining form of this craft is the Hakone wooden mosaic style, and it has been designated as traditional craftwork.