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Pen Porn: Sailor Pro Gear Sakura Nagare

Posted in Fountain Pens

Disclaimer: I take no responsibility for pen envy or impulse purchases resulting from viewing this post.

Per usual, you can click on the images to view them larger. I do my best to provide you with high-quality pen porn. 😉

The History

The Sailor Professional Gear Sakura Nagare is a rather special pen. I came across the design while looking up photos for my out of reach pens post. The one I saw then was the new, 19111 King of Pen model. It was so pretty, I did a quick Google search to learn more.

Sailor Pro Gear Sakura Nagare

While I certainly wasn’t going to spend $1,500 for it, the results included on on eBay for less than half of that, although without the packaging or extra goodies, but the ink was included. “Normal” Pro Gears can retail for anything from $300-$450 — that’s retail, not the price-gouging second hand market — and this one is full maki-e and raden.

I conflated two listings and originally thought I was getting the King of Pen Pro Gear. But, even at the standard Pro Gear size, it’s a good price.

After I purchased it, I did some more research on the pen itself. I found several sources on Reddit and a YouTube video.

The short version is that the original, Pro Gear and Pro Gear King of Pen, Sakura Nagare models were made in 2010 as “consolation gifts” from the Prime Minister of Japan for WWII veterans who had been denied military pensions due to deployment overseas or detainment in POW camps. The pens were two of multiple options at different value levels to choose from as part of the apology.

I feel like I should feel bad that I own a pen with this kind of backstory. But, several people have pointed out that the owner likely passed on and their children or grandchildren sold it. I hope that’s the case here.

Anyway, that’s enough backstory, it’s time for the photos!

360° Glory

While you don’t really need it, here’s a 360° set of photos. Assuming you close the pen correctly (the threads aren’t single start) then the pattern lines up quite nicely.

Sailor Pro Gear Sakura Nagare 360° photos

Special Design Elements

The cap band doesn’t have the typical Sailor 1911 engraving. I’ve seen a few different explanations of what it says. The two most often offered are “Prime Minister of Japan” or “Gift from the Prime Minister of Japan.” I can’t read Kanji, and Google translate is no help here, so I don’t know what it says. If you know, or can read it, please let me know.

Sailor Pro Gear Sakura Nagare cap band

The finial bears the 5-7 Paulownia emblem of the Japanese government.

Sailor Pro Gear Sakura Nagare cap finial

The nib also has the 5-7 Paulownia emblem, and a somewhat different design in comparison to the normal Sailor nib.

The nib is also different than any Sailor nib I’ve ever used. And a few people at the St. Louis Pen Show agreed with me. It’s softer. It has some spring to it. That’s the best way I can think of to explain it.

Details

I’m used to pens with raden work having a smooth finish, so I’m not entirely sure what to make of the bit of texture on the Sakura Nagare. I find it hard to believe that a pen like this — commissioned for the reasons it was — would be anything but the finest quality. So, I’m guessing that the texture is deliberate. You can see it some in all three of these photos, but it’s most visible in the third.

I’m pretty certain that the sakura petals are metal rather than shell, as they have a different shine to them.

Overall, It’s definitely a glorious pen. And I’ve wanted a maki-e pen with golden swirls for a while, so it’s a win all around.

Sakura Nagare uncapped

What do you think of the Sakura Nagare? Let me know in the comments! I’d love to hear from you.

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3 Comments

  1. Derek
    Derek

    Nice Pen 🙂

    I have a KOP version and two regular Pro Gear versions because I love the Pro Gear and the swirly maki-e design so much. I got the KOP for a discount due to no box, ink, pen sleeve, and had a crooked feed/nib, which required a small amount of time to realign. The second Pro Gear I got for quite a discount due to not having the wooden case and the extra stuff. It also had some corrosion on the band and clip which required some autosol polish.

    The words on the band are 内閣総理大臣 (naikaku souri daijin) Then some space and 贈 (zou). The first part is Prime Minister, the second part if Gift.

    Don’t feel bad about owning these, on the contrary, I think you should feel good about and appreciate owning such a piece of artwork with its own history.

    August 13, 2023
    |Reply
    • Thank you for the info about the band engraving! 😊 I do really enjoy this pen. The longer I have it, the more I’m content to simply appreciate the history and artistry.

      August 13, 2023
      |Reply
      • Derek
        Derek

        There is also a difference between the nibs for PG sakura nagare KOP and the regular sakura nagare.

        The KOP has a M nib while the regular has H-M. KOP nib feels a bit softer than the H-M. If you get the chance it is worth picking up the KOP as well.

        August 13, 2023

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