Over the last 100 years, Pilot Corporation has been producing masterfully crafted fountain pens that have stood the test of time. To celebrate its 100 year Anniversary, Pilot has created three new special edition pens using a number of traditional and advanced Maki-e techniques (a process of lacquer sprinkled with gold and silver). Outfitted with a gold tip with '100th Anniversary' inscribed, the precision and detail on each commemorative fountain pen and their respective accessories are works of art in and of themselves. Each pen is hand-painted and takes more than 3 months to complete; some of the pens have even gone through the process as much as 130 times. This process of creating these pieces embody the unique and precise craft of Japanese culture, and symbolizes the symbolic nature of the art that is penmanship.
The commemorative pens come in three options, one of which is called the “Seven Japanese Gods of Good Fortune” Collection. With only 25 of these sets made, this collection is housed in a gorgeous box featuring two intricate and symbolic designs: a treasure ship in Taka Maki-e, Mt. Fuji and ocean waves. Inside these boxes live seven pens, each of which display the image and story of the Seven Gods; Ebisu (happiness and prosperity), Daikoku-ten (wealth and prosperity), Bishamon-ten (financial good fortune and competitive advantage), Benzai-ten (wisdom), Fuku-roku-ju (personal virtue), Juro-jin (longevity) and Hotei-son (good fortune). The pens also coincide with seven different colored custom inks for each of the Seven Gods.
“Seven Gods:” 25 sets created; 4 available in the United States at $48,000 each; Opportunity to purchase each of the Gods individually -- each pen comes in a commemorative box, including their limited edition ink pairing, retail $4,800.
Along with the limited box set, Pilot has also created two other limited edition commemorative fountain pens: "Fuji" and "Meiji-Maru." "Fuji" is based on Japan's Mt. Fuji, which has a very significant play in Pilot's foundation. The original company slogan is "what Fuji is to mountains, Pilot is to fountain pens." Stemming from their roots, Pilot pays tribute to their beginnings by creating only 100 of the beautiful limited edition "Fuji" fountain pen.
The final pen in the limited edition collection is the "Meiji-Maru" fountain pen, Meiji-Maru was the name of Emperor Meiji's ship who ruled from 1867-1912. Though the ship carried Emeror Meiji, this ship is even more special to Pilot because it was the ship on which the companies founders, Ryosuke Namiki and Masao Wada, trained with the merchant marine. In seafare, a "pilot" is the person who sails and safely guides at the head of a convoy of ships. This title was brought into the name of the company in hopes that Pilot Corporation would lead and guide the rest of the industry. With only 800 of the "Meiji-Maru" pens produced, the masterfully crafted and aesthetically beautiful product is set to do lead the fine pen industry, just as its founders had hoped.
“Fuji:” 100 pens created; 14 available in the United States at $9,600 each
“Meiji-Maru:” 800 pens created; 81 available in the United States at $1,600 each
One pen out of the “Seven Gods of Good Fortune Collection" also available for singular purchase -- ‘Benzai-ten’ 150 pens created, $4,800 each.
