Nakaya

Founded in 1999, the Nakaya handmade fountain pen company employs some of the finest and most experienced Japanese nib craftsmen in the world. Each is a master of the fountain pen manufacturing process. For many years these great craftsmen have put on “traveling clinics” at many large department stores and fountain pen shops all over Japan. The pens they produced were available only through mail order. But after years of planning and conducting pen shows, we decided to share our work with the world. The name Nakaya is the original name given to Platinum pen company when it was founded in 1919. Each person writes differently and our mission is to design a perfect pen for your hand and for your hand only.

Nakaya produces tailor-made original fountain pens in celluloid, briar-wood, and leather, decorated with urushi lacquer and maki-e. Since each pen is made to the customer’s preference and modified and adjusted to fit its owner’s hand, each pen is considered a “limited edition.”

There are at least 150 steps in the creation process of a handmade fountain pen. If we add the surface finishing and decorating, the number of processes is even greater. All Nakaya pens are made by hand, from barrel turning, metal working, to the nib adjustment and finishing. Every fountain pen must be finetuned with the utmost precision.

The Nakaya ebonite model is drilled, turned and shaped by the lathe craftsman’s hand. The length is between 16.2cm and 16.5cm with the cap posted on the barrel and the weight ranges from 19g to 23g. The pen is manufactured within the above ranges based on your “carte” (personal preferences). The surface of the pen is finished with urushi lacquer from the Wajima area; the lacquer protects the fountain pen from fading or deterioration over time.

One of Nakaya’s most popular models is the“Tamenuri” pen in a red-toned color or in red with black overtones. Some customers request maki-e motifs such as a cat or goldfish; this is called the “Tame-sukashi” technique. Recent releases included “Whale in Wave,” “Squirrel” and “Ishime-Kanshitsu” (storm). Nibs are available in a range of sizes, from “superextra-fine” to music, and the filling system includes cartridge or converter.

Nakaya’s plans for new introductions include a small-sized pen (with or without clip) called the Piccolo, a desk pen stand in a traditional design, the maki-e Apparition, and the Decahedron.

CEO Toshiya Nakata takes pride in his customers’ pleasure in the Nakaya products, and he strives to give his best effort to every pen produced. At present, Nakaya pens are not available in shops outside of Japan, but Nakata plans to make them available in retail shops around the world in 2006.         

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