Graf von Faber Castell Pen of the Year 2019 Samurai Black Edition Fountain Pen

Since its first edition in 2003, the Graf von Faber-Castell "Pen of the Year" has become synonymous with luxurious writing culture and the finest craftsmanship. Each year a new and exclusive range tells the tales of epochs and peoples that have shaped the history of humanity. This time it’s the spirit and precision of the samurai that serve as a fascinating source of inspiration for the limited edition of writing instruments.

This Samurai Pen of the Year features fascinating elements reminiscent of the Japanese warriors. As a tribute to the noble virtues of the samurai and their art of forgery, the writing instruments of the Samurai Black Edition Pen of the Year are made from only the finest of materials. The armour of the Japanese warriors is reminiscent in the painted black metal barrel, whose delicate, tapered lines with 24-carat gold plating make the embellishment appear slightly embossed. “Cultivate both – your spirit and wisdom” is the quote by Miyamoto Musashi engraved on the cap of the Black Edition. The Japanese character for samurai can be seen in the tamahagane inlay in the cap; the end cap is adorned in turn with the symbol designed by Miyamoto Musashi for the tsuba – the hand guard for Japanese swords – and a wave-like pattern. The caps and the grip are covered in an anthracite-grey PVD coating made from titanium, while the 18-carat gold nib of the fountain pen is coated with ruthenium. 

It reads: “Today I win against myself of yesterday”, a quote from the great samurai warrior Miyamoto Musashi. The end cap is also engraved on the face with the symbol created by Musashi for the word “tsuba” (hand guard). The tsuba protects the samurai’s hand while he is using the weapon. The stingray leather with which the samurai covered their swords’ handles and which they decorated with artistic inlays, is recreated in the hand-forged grip of the Pen of the Year 2019. Both caps, the grip and the 18kt gold nib of the fountain pen are coated with ruthenium.

Each exclusive writing instrument represents the inner disposition of the samurai to strive for strength, clarity and perfection. The exclusive pen comes in a high-gloss, black wooden case. Each of the 400 unique, individually numbered pens is accompanied by a certificate signed by Count Charles von Faber-Castell, attesting to the authenticity of the limited edition.

BUSHI.

The samurai, also known as bushi in Japan, became political leaders in the late 12th century and reigned over the country until the abolition of feudalism. Their era came to an end in 1876, when the emperor banned the wearing of their traditional costume with two swords. Yet the myth surrounding the samurai remains to this day. The Japanese warriors continue to impress later generations with their matchless martial arts skills, their swords intricately crafted from the most precious materials and their silently gliding movements, the aesthetics of which may be compared to the motion of writing.

Ō-YOROI.

The samurai armour, or ō-yoroi, was crafted with extreme precision to give the warrior the greatest possible freedom in handling his weapons. The armor, elaborately manufactured from metal plates, is invoked in the Black Edition of the Pen of the Year 2019, with its painted black barrel and delicate gold lines.

NITÔ. 

Miyamoto Musashi (1584–1645), the greatest samurai warrior of all time, wrote The Book of Five Rings (“Go Rin No Sho”), which serves as a source of worldly wisdoms to this day and describes the strategies for the perfect samurai. Accordingly, it is not the warrior’s technique that matters most, but his inner attitude characterized by relaxation, openness and wisdom of the heart. Learning and perfecting flowing sequences of motion was part of Musashi’s Nitô swordsmanship school. He compared these sequences with the adaptability and clarity of water, and to this day steady movements are symbolized in Japan by a special wave pattern. 

KATANA.

The blades of the long swords (katanas) of the samurai were forged from tamahagane steel in a traditional and complex process, while the sheath and handle were made of untreated magnolia wood and finished with prized stingray leather.

Fully working and ready to write.

Consider the pictures as part of the description as they show the exact pen that will be purchased.

Comes fitted with an original Graf von Faber-Castell nib.

Complete with boxes and papers.