King of Pen Maki-e Ukiyo-e ‘Horibe Yahei Kanemaru’

Sailor

For its latest King of Pen Maki-e edition, Sailor pays tribute to Horibe Yahei Kanemaru, one of the forty-seven rōnin immortalised in the woodblock prints of renowned Ukiyo-e master Utagawa Kuniyoshi. Produced in a strictly limited run of only 30 pieces for the overseas market, the edition brings together Japanese history, traditional artistry, and Sailor’s celebrated craftsmanship.

Inspiration

The edition draws inspiration from Horibe Yahei Kanemaru, one of the legendary Forty-seven Rōnin immortalised in the woodblock prints of Ukiyo-e master Utagawa Kuniyoshi. Honoured for his loyalty and courage, Horibe Yahei became a lasting symbol of devotion and conviction after taking part in the famous Ako Incident of 1703 alongside the other masterless samurai.

Design & Materials

Starting from an ebonite base prized among enthusiasts for its warm and tactile character, each pen is gradually transformed through the intricate stages of the traditional Maki-e process.

Rendered entirely by hand, the edition recreates Kuniyoshi’s portrayal of Horibe Yahei Kanemaru with remarkable depth and precision, allowing the artwork to unfold across the surface of the pen through layers of lacquer and detailed decorative techniques. As with all handmade Maki-e creations, no two pieces will ever appear completely identical, giving each writing instrument a unique character of its own.

Limited to only 30 pieces worldwide, the edition is presented in a traditional Paulownia wood box.

Writing Experience

Each piece is fitted with Sailor’s renowned 21k King of Pen nib, crafted in-house at the brand’s Hiroshima factory and widely appreciated among collectors for its smoothness and expressive writing feel.

Available in Medium and Broad nib sizes, the pen combines the generous dimensions of the King of Pen silhouette with the responsiveness and balance that have made Sailor one of the most respected names among writing enthusiasts worldwide.

Product

CHF 40.00

Quantity:

About Sailor

Sailor Pen Company was founded in 1911 in Hiroshima by Kyugoro Sakata. The company began by producing gold-nib fountain pens and became “Sailor Pen Co., Ltd.” in 1917. In 1948, it launched Japan’s first ballpoint pen and, in 1954, introduced the country’s first ink cartridges. Sailor kept innovating with products like the mini clip-on pen (1963), the world’s first 21-karat gold-nib fountain pen (1969), and the Fude Pen (1972). In the late 1970s, Sailor regained popularity with the “Candy” and “Chalana” series. In 1981, it released the iconic 1911 model, symbolizing decades of craftsmanship and high-quality writing instruments.