BUTTERFYLY & CHRYSANTHEMUM

FOUNTAIN PEN

The butterfly, depicted on this prized limited edition Maki-e pen, is known as the Great Purple Emperor. The butterfly design is regarded as a symbol of regeneration and revival, an auspicious motif as the butterfly transforms itself from caterpillar to pupa to adult over its lifetime. The Great Purple Emperor's valiant and magnificent appearance, and its stately beauty, has made it the national butterfly of Japan. The male butterfly has a shiny bright bluish-purple pattern in the center of its wings, hence the reason for its name. The pen depicts this elegant pattern through Taka Maki-e (raised lacquer work) technique, displaying beautiful shiny plum-colored wings and Raden (mother-of-pearl) technique.

Together with the Japanese plum, bamboo and orchid, the chrysanthemum is one of the flowers that epitomizes autumn. Along with the cherry blossom, the chrysanthemum is widely popular as one of the national flowers of Japan. This noble flower is illustrated on the pens through the gold and silver raised lacquer method.

Recently, the living conditions for both butterflies and chrysanthemums have worsened due to the depletion of rural grasslands and mountains as urbanization progresses. We are keen to respect the symbols of our traditional culture - flowers, birds, wind and moon, as well as nature's beauty. Also, we emphasize that we should preserve the environments surrounding them. With that hope in mind, Namiki is pleased to introduce the 2007 "Butterfly and Chrysanthemum" limited edition pen.

Only 99 pens have been produced worldwide. The body of the Emperor size pen has been decorated by the skilled artisan Michifumi employing refined Maki-e techniques.

A precision 18-karat gold nib with rhodium accent and piston ink delivery system ensures first-class writing quality and long-lasting performance. A special ink bottle designed specifically for this collectible pen completes the majestic presentation. The pens are presented in an elegant gift box, the lid of which is decorated with a "Kaga Yuzen", one of the most prestigious traditional handicrafts of Japan.