Edition of 60 sets

In this set, two basic human cravings have been symbolized – health, called Mubyo in Japanese, and wealth, which translates as Takara-zukushi.

On the “Mubyo” fountain pen, six gourds (special bowls) are depicted. According to Japanese legend, God lives in a large gourd. For this reason, it is highly valued as a charm. A combination of six gourds in Japanese is pronounced as “Mubyo” which means absence of sickness. Therefore, these six gourds are cherished items believed to be able to bestow a long and healthy life.

On the “Takara-zukushi” model, several figures are shown. They all symbolize wealth and are drawn in the traditional Japanese Kissho design, which is said to bring good fortune.

Nyoi-hoju, this precious globe, realizes one’s wishes. Hoh-yaku, the key to the treasury. Uchide-no-Kuzuchi, the magic hammer that grants whatever one has wished for. Choji, the tropical evergreen tree, supplies herbal medicine and spices.

In addition to the above symbols, Tachibana (a mandarin orange), Tabane-noshi (a bundle of tokens attached to a gift), Fundo (a traditional balance to measure weight), Kinchaku (a fabric pouch) and Makimono (a roll of document) are drawn.

These symbols are believed to bring good fortune and are also used as designs in traditional Japanese clothing and the sash. The Pelikan models “Mubyo” and “Takara-zukushi” are masterpieces with finely chased 18-carat gold nibs accentuated with a rhodium decor.

Edition of 88 specimens

The dragon and the phoenix are the most important creatures in Chinese mythology and are surrounded by a wealth of legend and folklore. The Chinese dragon is a good-natured and benign creature in contrast to its Western counterpart. As a magical animal, it is capable of shrinking to the size of a silkworm or swelling until it fills the space between heaven and earth.

The first appearance of the phoenix, which was later to become a commonplace symbol of peace and prosperity, can be dated back to 2600 B.C. Legend has it that this beast remains hidden and only appears when reason prevails. Thus, the phoenix is the glorification of a peaceful reign and a successful ruler.

Historically, it was the right of the Chinese Emperor to bear the dragon, while the phoenix was the main decorative motive in the costumes of the Empresses of China. The spirit of these beasts is still very much a living part of Chinese culture. Although over the centuries the Chinese race has been scattered throughout the world, all descendants are still bound by these powerful and mystical symbols, rich in tradition and history.

Edition of 88 specimens

Tigers used to be regarded as the king of beasts in ancient China, but when the rumors about lions were passed on to Chinese people through the Silk Road, lions took the place of tigers.

Lions were also valued as the symbol of kingship – not only in China but also in Egypt and India, where lion statues were placed in the palaces of their dynasties to represent the king’s power and to protect him.

Karajishi is an imaginary lion introduced from the Tang Dynasty (7th to 10th century) to Japan. In both the East and West, a lion has been considered to be a precious luck-bringing animal that averts evil, beckons happiness, and promotes joy.

The two lions and colored balls depicted on the fountain pen are believed to realize your dreams and bring joy and fortune to you.

Edition of 250 sets

Two opposing seasons are featured with this Maki-e series. They catch the beauty of the blossom in spring and of the colored leaves in autumn. As a set, they combine the eternal circle of the seasons.

Maki-e and Chinkin are the most representative techniques of ornamental lacquerware. In Maki-e, designs are drawn with lacquer using a special brush. Then gold foil, gold and silver powder are sprinkled or stuck onto the design. This careful and time-consuming process is repeated many times to give depth to the designs.

Chinkin is the technique of decorating lacquerware by carving the designs into the lacquered surface using a sharp chisel. In the next step, gold foil and powders are inlaid into the carved design.

For the Pelikan fountain pen models “Cherry Blossom” and “Autumn Leaves”, the Maki-e artist has harmoniously blended both techniques. The fountain pens are encased together as a set in a traditional Japanese gift box, which is made of Paulownia wood.

The models “Cherry Blossom” and “Autumn Leaves” released in the year 2008 with only 250 sets available world-wide are now sold out at Pelikan.

Edition of 88 specimens

Our planet is covered by 360 million square kilometers of water. The history of the oceans is as old as the earth itself, and all life on our planet originates from the depths of the oceans. These came into being what feels like an eternity ago – an estimated 4.6 billion years.

The motifs on the fountain pen symbolize this history. The turtle – the symbol for a long life – forms the center point, surrounded by numerous fish. It is produced using an elaborate mother-of-pearl inlay technique.

The Pelikan model “Sea World” is a masterpiece with a finely chased 18-carat gold nib accentuated with a rhodium decor. The Pelikan logo on the crown, limited edition number and artist’s signature are drawn in by hand with the Maki-e technique. The fountain pen is encased in a traditional Japanese gift box, which is made of Paulownia wood.

Kabuki is a traditional Japanese form of theater. Its origin is said to be from a series of performances by Izumono Okuni in Kitano Tenmangu in 1603 (the beginning of the Edo era).

These performances became very popular in Kyoto, and for the last four hundred years have been established as a point of Japanese pride for traditional art. More recently, Kabuki has become popular abroad as well.

The tale of Renjishi was written by Mokuami Kawatake. Based upon the moral story in which a parent pushes his children down into the bottomless valley with the intention of raising only those who are able to run back up from the valley.

This story is regarded as the representative piece of Kabuki dancing, and truly touches the audience’s heart as it is performed by a real parent and son. The climax of this performance is painted on the Pelikan fountain pen “Renjishi”, where the white-haired parent and the red-haired child dance together wildly as a perfect match.

Edition of 88 specimens

In Japan, fireworks are a popular enjoyment for summer. They are displayed at more than five hundred fireworks shows all over Japan, with the major show offering more than twenty thousand fireworks… a feast for the viewers’ eyes.

In general, most of the fireworks from Japan and China explode into a circular form. The ones in which each spark leaves a trail behind are called Kiku-mono, or the chrysanthemum type. The ones in which the sparks do not leave trails behind them are called Botan-mono, or the peony type.

This fountain pen was made in the historical Japanese region Kaga, which is famous for traditional Japanese arts. The Pelikan model “Fireworks” is a masterpiece with a finely chased 18-carat gold nib accentuated with a rhodium decor. And the Pelikan logo on the crown, limited edition number and artist’s signature are drawn in by hand with the Maki-e technique.

Edition of 88 specimens

In 794, the Japanese Emperor Kammu declared the transfer of the capital of Japan to a new city, which he called Kyoto. It was the place of an impressive dynasty, where the common people also lead powerful lives. By the end of the 12th century, Kyoto had become the center of commerce and industry of Japan. After approximately seven hundred years of prosperity, Kyoto was reborn as a modern city, when the Meiji Emperor moved the capital to Tokyo.

A Maiko is a young apprentice who trains in arts and customer service manners. In the old days, girls started out as Maikos between the ages of 9 to 12, though the lower age limit has now been raised to after graduation from junior high school.

Young and in the apprentice status, a Maiko wears a furisode, a long-sleeved kimono for unmarried women, adjusted at the shoulders and hemmed up. Due to the flashy outfit of lacquered clogs with rounded soles and dangling sash, a Maiko is now said to be the epitome of beauty for young Japanese women.

The Pelikan Maki-e fountain pen “Maiko in Kyoto” depicts a graceful Maiko, standing on a stone pavement in falling cherry blossom petals, with the historical five-storied pagoda of Kyoto in the background. It takes up the theme of Maiko, one of the symbols of the ancient capital of Kyoto.

Edition of 88 specimens

The four-leaf clover is one of the most famous good luck charms. According to an ancient European legend, anyone finding a four-leaf clover will also find happiness since, being very rare, it is considered to be a powerful talisman.

Each individual leaf of the four-leaf clover has a specific meaning: fame, wealth, faithful love, and glorious health. And, combined, are believed to bring good luck. The four parts of the clover indicate hope, happiness, heart, and health as well as the compass points – east, west, south and north – with the four guardian spirits of direction unified into one central point.

There is a million-to-one chance of finding a five-leaf clover – the individual parts of which are thought to bring love, wealth, health, luck, and success, as well as prosperity and fortune.

The Maki-e fountain pen “Four-Leaf Clover” depicts one five-leaf clover and six four-leaf clovers together with many three-leaf clovers and employs mother-of-pearl and cut-gold work, among other techniques, to vividly recreate this good luck charm.

Edition of 88 specimens

A renowned Maki-e Master paints three cranes – cherished symbols of long life, and good luck – flying elegantly along Japan’s sacred Mount Fuji with delicate hazy clouds and cherry blossoms serving as the background.

Using the Maki-e technique, previously reserved for Japanese Royals as an indication of their power, the Master hand paints each Pelikan logo on the pen’s crown and the pen’s limited edition number as well as his signature on the barrel.

For the Pelikan fountain pen model “Mount Fuji and Cranes”, the Maki-e artist has harmoniously blended the Togidashi-Maki-e and Taka-Maki-e techniques.

The fountain pen Maki-e Fuji & Cranes was so popular that it was sold out within three weeks at Pelikan.

Edition of 88 specimens

Maki-e is a complex Japanese lacquer painting technique, renowned for its beauty and artistry. In the process, the rare Japanese lacquer Urushi is applied to the fountain pen in a multitude of layers, which are polished repeatedly.

The design is drawn with colored lacquer onto the surface. This technique is called Togidashi-Maki-e. In addition, the artist can mix charcoal powder and gold powder into the lacquer, so that the pattern of the design is raised above the surface: If your thumb glides over the painting, you will feel the difference. This is the so-called Taka-Maki-e technique.

For the fountain pen model “Ginko & Maple Leaves”, the Maki-e artist has harmoniously blended both techniques. The “Ginko & Maple Leaves” shows the traditional autumn motifs of Japan – glittering leaves that look as if they have just twirled from the tree in the first autumn wind. With golden splashes of color that show this magnificent season and its warm sunlight at its best.

The model “Ginko & Maple Leaves” is a masterpiece with a finely chased 18-carat gold nib accentuated with a rhodium decor, in the nib size M and each pen individually numbered and signed by the artist.

Edition of 88 specimens

Instead of the more typical landscapes, the Fantasia depicts a traditional Japanese design called “Komon Pattern”, which is commonly used for elegant Japanese Kimonos.

Eight hexagons with eight different styles create subtle color combinations that delight the eye due to a wealth of details, all painted with painstaking love. The hexagons are surrounded by cherry blossoms in a reddish golden color which are based on a varying background that is painted with the “Byakudan-Nuri” technique, using gold leaf and clear lacquer. Due to this technique, the lacquer shimmers with surprising depth in a red and orange glow when you turn the fountain pen in your hands. The Pelikan logo on the crown, the Limited Edition number, and the artist’s signature are all drawn by hand, using the Maki-e technique. This series is limited to only 88 pieces worldwide. Each fountain pen has an 18 carat, bi-color gold nib in size M and is encased in a traditional Japanese pen box made of Paulownia wood.

Edition of 88 specimens

The glittering water of the curling wave on the barrel immediately draws the eye to this fantastic painting of Maki-e artist Shozo Nakamura.

He modeled the design of the pen on the painting “The great wave of Kanagawa” by Hokusai Katsushika, one of the most renowned Japanese painters in the Edo Era. Particularly well-known for his series called “the thirty-six sceneries of Mount Fuji”.

Due to the skillful use of tiny pieces of mother-of-pearl and eggshell, the painting on this extraordinary Pelikan M1000 fountain pen comes alive. To complete the seaside feeling, the cap is decorated with two Japanese traditional kites, also taken from the Edo Era, and plover birds that swoop over the waves.

For this model, several Maki-e drawing techniques were combined, using Kaga Togidashi-Taka Maki-e. The Pelikan logo on the crown, as well as the limited edition number and the artist’s signature, are also all drawn by hand, using the Maki-e technique. Due to the combination of more than 175 years of Pelikan know-how and superior Japanese Maki-e techniques, the Seaside is a masterpiece with incredible details.

Globally limited to only 88 pieces, each with a carefully created 18-carat bi-color gold nib. Every fountain pen is encased in a traditional Japanese pen box made of Paulownia wood.

Edition of 88 specimens

The colorful fish from Japan called Koi are not only revered for their beauty; they are intrinsically tied to Japanese culture.

Every Japanese child knows the story of a Koi that battled its way up a waterfall in order to become a dragon. And that’s why these fishes are a symbol for endurance, strength, and the determination to reach your goal, even if you have to overcome countless obstacles to finally make it.

With immense love for detail, the artist drew the Koi and their habitat on this stupendous fountain pen in the size 1000, which is the largest fountain pen Pelikan offers.

For the Pelikan Maki-e fountain pen Koi, the elaborate Kaga Togidashi-Taka-Maki-e technique was used. Each fountain pen is individually numbered and signed by the artist. Every model is equipped with an 18-carat, bi-color gold nib and is encased in a traditional Japanese pen box made of Paulownia wood.

Edition of 88 specimens

One of the techniques used on the pen is called “Kakiwari”, and only very skillful artists can realize it: A tiny line or gap is left between different drawings, which creates a three-dimensional effect.

The bell flower was added into this elegant composition by using blue mother-of-pearl particles. This fountain pen was painted using the Kaga-Togidashi-Taka-Maki-e technique.

Individually numbered and signed by the artist, the series is limited to only 88 pieces worldwide. Every model is equipped with an 18-carat gold nib and is encased in a traditional Japanese pen box made of Paulownia wood.

Edition of 111 specimens

As symbols of spring and autumn, Cherry Blossom and Maple leaves are drawn on the cap and the barrel of the fountain pen.

Three traditional Japanese designs are drawn and depicted on the cap background: a water stream in the green area, a hemp leaf pattern in the brown area and a golden stripe applied by using numerous tiny pieces of gold foil.

Additional artistic designs are drawn and featured on the barrel, along with tiny pieces of blue shell used to create and make the beautiful Raden stripe. A never-ending line pattern is drawn in the violet area, which represents and implies eternal love.

The Harikiri technique, considered to be one of the most difficult Maki-e techniques, is also used in the silver area, offering a dramatic and beautiful finishing touch to this exquisite pen.

Each fountain pen is equipped with an 18-carat, two-tone gold nib and is encased in a traditional Japanese pen box made of paulownia wood.

Edition of 111 specimens

Dragonflies are renowned for their exceptional flying properties. As they only fly forward and never go backwards, they are considered as a lucky symbol in Japanese mythology, representing endurance and perseverance. During the age of wars in Japan, Samurai used the design of dragonflies as an ornament for their ordnance.

There are five dragonflies vividly drawn on the beautiful background of the fountain pen barrel. This background depicts ‘Tsugigami”, a traditional Japanese paper made by connecting various pieces of paper. The image of the dragonfly is created by using many different Maki-e techniques such as Raden, Byakutan-nuri, Kawarinuri and Togidashi-Taka-Maki-e.

Each fountain pen is equipped with an 18-carat, two-tone gold nib and is encased in a traditional Japanese pen box made of paulownia wood.

Edition of 111 specimens

The peacock is considered as one of the most beautiful birds in the world for its exceptionally beautiful and vibrant feathers when it spreads the wings.

Surprisingly, peacocks eat poisonous plants and bugs without being affected by them. So, people started to recognize it as a useful and beneficial bird for them. Later, peacocks were considered as a lucky symbol with the ability to prevent people from suffering and pain.

This distinctive and unique fountain pen was crafted and drawn using the Kaga-Togidashi-Maki-e technique. The first step to create this Peacock Maki-e fountain pen was to give the surface a deep black impression using Japanese Urushi lacquer.

Then the Maki-e artist inlaid the blue stripes of mother-of-pearl, surrounded by many small pieces of Kinhirame (flattened gold grains). In the next step, gold and silver powder was sprinkled all over the pen. After drying, the artist drew the colorful feathers in detail, using various colored Urushi lacquers.

Edition of 123 specimens

The umbrella was introduced from China to Japan during the Heian period (AD794-1185). At that time, the umbrella did not have the shape of today’s umbrella, but it looked like a canopy. It was only during the Azuchi Momoyama period (AD1573-1603) that it became possible to close the umbrella.

The traditional Japanese umbrella is made of natural material such as Japanese paper, bamboo, and wood. Thirty to Seventy bamboo bones are used to open and fairly spread the umbrella made of Japanese paper. When the umbrella is closed, it looks like a single rod with the paper folded inside the bones.

Today, the Japanese umbrella is rarely used. You will still see it at special events such as Kabuki and Japanese traditional dance shows, or as rental umbrellas at traditional Japanese inns in sightseeing spots in Japan.

There are four Japanese umbrellas drawn in Taka-Maki-e, using techniques such as raden and kirigane. Rain is expressed using many narrow pieces of mother-of-pearl. Each fountain pen has an 18-carat, two-tone gold nib and is encased in a traditional Japanese pen box made of paulownia wood.

Edition of 123 specimens

Kingfisher is a small bird that lives near the waterside. The kingfisher has a long, dagger-like beak. The plumage of most kingfishers is bright, with green and blue being the most common colors.

In Japanese, it is also called jade or blue gemstone because of its bright colors. Kingfishers are capable of compensating for the refraction of water and reflection when hunting prey underwater, and can judge depth underwater accurately. The name of Kingfisher is given to a fish master who preys on small fish and crayfish.

On the fountain pen, two beautiful Kingfishers are vividly painted on the background of burning red autumn leaves. Each fountain pen is equipped with an 18-carat, two-tone gold nib and is encased in a traditional Japanese pen box made of paulownia wood.

Edition of 123 specimens

Seven Treasures are listed in the Buddhist scriptures. The typical seven treasures are gold, silver, lapislazuli, crystal, giant clam, coral, and agate. These precious substances are mentioned in the 11th chapter of the Buddhist sutras with the name “Treasure Tower”.

However, the list differs among the Buddhist scriptures. The seven elements are compared to treasures and symbolize: hearing, correct teaching, believing it, keeping the precepts, engaging in meditation, practicing assiduously, renouncing one’s attachments, and reflecting on oneself.

The Seven Treasures are expressed on this Pelikan M1000 as auspicious omen motifs by drawing additional fortunate items such as weights, cloves, treasure roll, treasure-house lock, and cherry blossoms. By this, the Pelikan Maki-e “Seven Treasures” fountain pen is a collection of symbols which are believed to bring good fortune and are often used for Japanese traditional designs.

The Pelikan “Seven Treasures” Maki-e fountain pen uses Togidashi-Taka-Maki-e techniques, was released in 2021 with 123 pieces worldwide.