Pen Porn: Sailor Pro Gear Sakura Nagare

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.

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.

• Sailor Pro Gear KOP Prime Minister’s Consolation Gift Sakura Nagare
• Gifts from the Prime Minister of Japan: Sailor Pro Gear Standard and King of Pen Sakura Nagare Raden and Maki-e
• Newest Addition: Sailor Raden Maki-e Sakura Nagare FP
• Sailor Pro Gear, Raden Sakura Nagare (just pretty pictures)

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.

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.

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

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.

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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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