{"product_id":"nakaya-naka-ai-cigar-negoro-kikyo","title":"Nakaya Naka-ai Cigar Negoro Kikyo","description":"\u003cp\u003eDesigned by Nakaya master pen designer Shinichi Yoshida in collaboration with John Mottishaw, the Naka-ai, with its peaked ends and tapered body, combines many of Nakaya’s most distinctive design features in a single model. \"\"Naka-ai\"\" has the meaning of middle or in-between, and brings to mind the Middle Way of Buddhist practice with its emphasis on balance, integrity, and centeredness. Appropriately enough, the Naka-ai occupies a midway position between Nakaya's smaller Piccolo series pens and the longer Deskpen - this is a pen that will be a very comfortable fit for most pen users.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe double slit Music nib is available at an added premium, as are plated nibs in Pink Gold, Rhodium, Ruthenium, or Two-Tone. \u003cbr\u003eNakaya Urushi pens are meant to age, with the underlying color becoming more apparent as the Urushi lacquer matures. \"\"Wabi-Sabi\"\" is the term used in Japanese for objects whose aesthetic value increases with use and wear. Taking this idea to its logical extreme, the Nakaya Naka-ai Cigar Negoro Kikyo Nuno Kise Hon Kataji fountain pen honors the aging process even more by featuring \"\"cracks\"\" artfully engraved onto the surface of the cap, barrel, and gripping section.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Negoro weathering process is particularly painstaking and time-consuming - production of these pens usually requires six months or more. Here the deep blue Kikyo finish contrasts only subtly with the weathered \"\"cracks\"\", leaving an elegant, streamlined impression.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe smooth, tapered Naka-ai Cigar model is balanced in the hand. This is an excellent showcase for the Negoro Kikyo motif, matching understated colors with a simple yet powerful design.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNakaya pens can be filled with bottled inkusing the provided converter, and can also use Platinum brand cartridges. Hand-painted Maki-e converters are also available. \u003cbr\u003e14k nibs are well-suited to customizations including Stub, Cursive Italic, and Left Oblique, as well as the modification for added flex. \u003cbr\u003eThough the complete range of Nakaya nibs is made available, the rhodium-plated version complements the fountain pen's cool color scheme.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNakaya pens ship in a solid softwood shipping box decorated with Japanese Kanji script and lined with decorative rice paper. A fabric pen kimono and starter box of Platinum brand cartridges are also included, making this pen a lovely presentation item. Sensible and elegant packaging has long been a hallmark of the Nakaya brand. \u003cbr\u003eNakaya pens are individually handcrafted in a process that requires a minimum of three to six months and often much longer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnless requested otherwise, each pen or nib you purchase from us will be carefully examined, tested, and optimized for your personal writing characteristics before it ships.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nakaya","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43700994113831,"sku":"","price":1040.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0564\/0486\/9168\/files\/NakayaNaka-aiCigarNegoroKikyo.jpg?v=1717656494","url":"https:\/\/nibs-usa.com\/products\/nakaya-naka-ai-cigar-negoro-kikyo","provider":"Nibs-USA.com","version":"1.0","type":"link"}