If you have ever picked up a beautiful fountain pen and felt, for a brief moment, that you were holding more than just a writing tool, this one is for you.
This November, the Japan Creative Centre (JCC) at Nassim Road will be transformed into a quiet little sanctuary of lacquer, gold dust and storytelling, as Pilot Pen Singapore and JCC present ‘The Timeless Craftsmanship of Maki-e – NAMIKI: Past, Present, Future’.
For one week only, from 15 to 22 November 2025, visitors will be able to step into NAMIKI’s world and see how a simple pen becomes a canvas for Japanese artistry across generations.
Rather than a typical product showcase, the exhibition plays out almost like a visual timeline. You journey from the pioneering days of founder Ryosuke Namiki to the contemporary masterpieces of the Kokkokai, a collective of master artisans dedicated to advancing the art of Maki-e. On display is a rare and expansive line-up of Limited-Edition NAMIKI fountain pens, including archival pieces such as the 2007 Butterfly & Chrysanthemum and the 2021 Coral fountain pen, each one an intricate snapshot of a particular moment in the brand’s storied history.
At the heart of the exhibition is the 2025 Limited-Edition 百花繚乱 “Blooming Flowers in Profusion” Fountain Pen. Singapore has the honour of being the first country in the world to showcase this piece. Created by renowned Kokkokai artisan Yutaka Sato, the pen draws inspiration from the idiom Hyakkaryouran, which speaks of diverse talents and ideas flourishing together, like a profusion of blossoms in full bloom. More than an object of luxury, it reads like a poetic tribute to nature’s fleeting beauty, Japan’s cultural heritage, and NAMIKI’s enduring commitment to elevating craftsmanship into art.
The exhibition also gives you a peek behind the curtain into the art of Maki-e itself. Through detailed displays, visitors can learn how traditional Japanese lacquerware techniques evolved into the refined pen art we see today. Panels highlight the painstaking layering of urushi lacquer, the sprinkling of gold powder, and the use of specialised brushes and tools, methods that are as time-intensive as they are delicate. It is an art form that demands patience, precision and a steady hand, and the exhibition does a fine job of showing how each instrument is slowly transformed into a radiant, three-dimensional artwork.
If you are the sort who likes to meet the maker behind the masterpiece, mark 15 November on your calendar. Visitors on that day will have the rare chance to meet NAMIKI artisan Mr Seiki Chida, whose hand has guided some of the brand’s most iconic creations – including Dancing Beauty (2003), Hyoutan Namazu (2008), Polar Bear (2009) and Coral (2021).
For collectors, there is also an opportunity to consult the Pilot Pen Doctor for expert advice and care on treasured NAMIKI pieces, available by appointment. It is the sort of detail that quietly signals how seriously the brand takes longevity and aftercare.
“This collaboration is a celebration of Japanese craftsmanship at its finest,” said Ms Kawabe Akiko, Director of the Japan Creative Centre. “As a cultural bridge between Japan and Singapore, JCC is dedicated to promoting the depth and diversity of Japanese culture through the arts, innovation, and tradition. This showcase with NAMIKI perfectly embodies that mission, offering audiences a rare opportunity to engage with the exquisite art of Maki-e, not just as a historic craft, but as a living expression of Japan’s enduring creativity and refinement.”
Mr Taisuke Ryu, Managing Director of Pilot Pen Singapore, added: “At NAMIKI, every pen is more than a writing instrument – it is a vessel of imagination, a canvas where tradition meets innovation through the timeless art of Maki-e. Through this showcase, we are honoured to bring the spirit of Japanese artistry to Singapore, a place where creativity and culture are deeply valued. It is both a tribute to our heritage and a step forward in our mission to preserve, share, and reimagine this exquisite art form for future generations across the world.”
For those keen to see the pieces in person, ‘The Timeless Craftsmanship of Maki-e – NAMIKI: Past, Present, Future’ will be open to the public from 15 to 22 November 2025, 10am to 6pm (closed on Sunday and Monday, and concluding at 5pm on the final day).
The exhibition will be held at the Japan Creative Centre, located at 4 Nassim Road, Singapore 258372. Further details, including how to book an appointment with the Pen Doctor, can be found on the Japan Creative Centre’s website.
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