{"product_id":"engeika-fpr-tsuki-usagi-modern-maki-e-jowo-6-steel-nib-fountain-pen-copy","title":"1977 Pilot Elite Sterling Silver Obsidian Grotto Fountain Pen","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDetails\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis pen is a remake of a pocket pen that was highly popular in Japan during the 1960s and 1970s. It features an inlaid nib made of 14K gold, available in EF (extra fine), F (fine), and M (medium) points. Two finishes are available: all black with golden accents, and burgundy with a silver-colored cap. The latter, designed with the female customer in mind, appears to be much more popular than the former.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe silver hatched steel edition originated during the wave of pens produced with steel caps in the 1970s and 1980s, driven by a trend that luxurious fountain pens should feature steel caps. This trend was directly influenced by post-war conditions where factories had an excess of steel from wartime production. During this period, steel caps became famous as they differed from the standard resin, ebonite, or celluloid caps. Subsequently, many manufacturers began experimenting with various metals, including stainless steel, rhodium, sterling silver, and even gold.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe cross-hatched decorative pattern. Inlaid nib made gold, usually rhodiated, although some white gold units might also exist. This pen was also called “Isaac Newton”. Cheaper versions had black plastic barrel and nail-type gold nib. These are late models, made in the late 1980s. The sought-after cross-hatched Elite, also known as \"Isaac Newton\". It has an 18 K inlaid nib, rhodiated.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eArt\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIn-House Customization\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis customization project was born from a simple but meaningful idea: to create beauty through everyday hands while supporting local households. In Japan, customization has long been a beloved part of hobby culture. From stationery to Gundam models and Tamiya cars, people enjoy repainting, decorating, and reimagining objects they already own. Customization is less about perfection and more about storytelling—about giving an object a new chapter and a renewed sense of life. In this project, local housewives participated directly in the creative process, allowing artistic work to be done within the community while providing support to local households.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe pen bodies are coated using modern lacquer paint rather than traditional Japanese Urushi lacquer. The work is carried out with care and creativity, but without the rigid formality of classical techniques. This choice allows for experimentation and accessibility, making it possible for non-artisans to participate meaningfully in the creation process. Each pen is then decorated using a combination of modern Maki-e stickers and gold, silver, and copper leaf, resulting in a one-of-a-kind surface that reflects both individual expression and collective effort.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0374\/6188\/5066\/files\/visionedit-result.png?v=1776498388\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eModern Lacquer Paint \u0026amp; Modern Maki-e Stickers\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003eTraditional Urushi lacquer and true hand-drawn Maki-e sit at the very top of Japanese decorative arts. Urushi is not simply paint—it is a living material that demands years, often decades, of training to control. Artisans apply layer after layer by hand, carefully curing and polishing each stage in humidity-controlled environments. Every line of Maki-e is drawn freehand with precious metal powders, where a single mistake cannot be undone. The process is slow, demanding, and exacting, but the result is extraordinary depth, durability, and cultural value that can last for generations.\u003cbr\u003eThis project takes a different path by design. Using modern lacquer paint and contemporary Maki-e style stickers allows for a more playful and expressive approach. The focus is on creativity, experimentation, and enjoyment. These modern methods invite freedom—combining metallic leaf, texture, and bold visuals to create something personal and unexpected. It is not about replacing tradition, but about exploring a lighter, more approachable way to celebrate art, imagination, and individuality.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0374\/6188\/5066\/files\/media-18.jpg?v=1776498385\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eDesign\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eObsidian Grotto is a masterclass in organic abstraction. The surface is hand-carved to create a deep, undulating topography that mimics the charred bark of an ancient tree or cooled volcanic flow. This rugged, matte-black \"bedrock\" is punctuated by irregular, recessed \"pools\" of brilliant gold leaf.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe gold appears to be trapped within the crevices of the dark material, catching the light only as the instrument is rotated. The contrast between the light-absorbing, textured black surface and the highly reflective, smooth gold creates a visual rhythm that is both primitive and sophisticated. It is a design for the writer who finds inspiration in the raw, unpolished corners of the natural world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0374\/6188\/5066\/files\/img2084-edit.jpg?v=1776498243\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBrand\u003c\/strong\u003e: Pilot\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaterial\u003c\/strong\u003e: Sterling Silver, 18K F White Gold Nib\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFilling mechanism\u003c\/strong\u003e: Converter or Cartridge (Pilot Proprietary Converter \u0026amp; Cartridge CON-20)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeed\u003c\/strong\u003e: Plastic\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSize\u003c\/strong\u003e: 118 mm (Closed)\/105 mm (Nib) 147.7 mm (Posted)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWeight\u003c\/strong\u003e: \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNib\u003c\/strong\u003e: 18K F White Gold Nib\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003ePILOT ELITE NIBS\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePilot Elites were the first fountain pen made by Pilot that introduced the nail nibs which later was featured in the early Custom K Series Fountain Pens.  the Nail Nib style offers breakthrough properties that can still benefit today's writers. One of the advantages of having a nail nib or an integrated nib is the enhanced strength and integrity of the nib. It can withstand the demands of hard-pressed writers and endure rigorous use.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe vintage model of the Pilot Elite provides a flex nib capability. Despite the market leaning towards fine or medium nib strokes, the modern Pilot Elite incorporates a flex nib. Specifically, it utilizes a Pilot Fine Nib, which results in a pleasant line stroke with added flex and line variation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCondition\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis pen was bought from a 2nd hand collectors market, Pre-Owned hhas been customized with Lacquer paint by our local housewives. We are not Urushi artisans and this is not an Urushi Lacquer fountain pen. It is a Lacquer paint that we use to decorate this pen adding a new aesthetic and new look. The artwork is done by our local artist. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe pen is obtained by second-hand collectors market.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ehas been customized with Lacquer paint by our local housewives. We are not Urushi artisans and this is not an Urushi Lacquer fountain pen. It is a Lacquer paint that we use to decorate this pen adding a new aesthetic and new look. The artwork is done by our local artist.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis pen is a creative experiment and an artistic customization, not a traditional Urushi or artisan Maki-e piece. It is offered as a unique, one-of-a-kind art object meant to be enjoyed for its individuality, community story, and playful exploration of materials.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlease treat the pen with the utmost care, if you do not know what you are doing, please refrain from opening hinges or things that might appear untightened, due to the age of this pen and hard contact or excessive force exerted on the pen damaging the pen.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Engeika Order","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47913922101386,"sku":"NVF-NSK-242","price":300.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0374\/6188\/5066\/files\/img2080-edit.jpg?v=1776498243","url":"https:\/\/engeika.com\/products\/engeika-fpr-tsuki-usagi-modern-maki-e-jowo-6-steel-nib-fountain-pen-copy","provider":"engeika.com","version":"1.0","type":"link"}