It took me a long time between liking the Decapod and getting the Decapod. Much of that hesitation had to do with the initial discomfort my hand felt when I tried one for the first time. The facets were distracting. Misgivings quieted when I saw the AO tamenuri finish. It was like arguing myself into …
The Piccolo is possibly Nakaya's best-known canvas for its unique aesthetic. It has been made to look like stone, lacquered to evoke ancient tea ware, covered in sumi and carved with dragons. There are Piccolos with skulls, Piccolos engraved with twining vines and flowers, light pink Piccolos, demon-studded Piccolos, Piccolos sprinkled with iridescent butterflies. Machining …
Download, share and enjoy. These are square to accommodate most gadget screens. Feel free to crop and rotate to fit. Happy New Year! 2013 Wallpaper, a set on Flickr.
Ah, music nibs. They transform lists to lyrics, to-dos to haikus. Or so I would like to believe, even if music nibs on paper are indistinguishable from stubs and cursive italics. In form, they are quite distinct from other nibs, as they have two slits, resulting in three tines rather than the usual two. They …
If no one else sees it, why make it beautiful? Because it makes the ink ripple as it swims. Because it traces curves in the air as it falls. Because it blooms into words. Because a petal is always welcome. (Nakaya maki-e converters are the pen world’s equivalent of exquisite lingerie. No one else knows …
If I were to be reincarnated as a pen, I’d like to be a Nakaya. In my next life I would like to be serene, subtle, quietly reeking of artistic merit, and fully functional, instead of frivolous, clumsy and more obvious than a horn on a unicorn. During a quick trip to Aesthetic Bay a …
It’s called toilegami – the art of folding the end of the toilet paper roll to reassure hotel guests the toilet is fresh and ready. No one has to do it, but most hotels now do. I’ve seen simple triangles, and once even a half crane, but never anything like this. Pens don’t need barrel …
And I made it to the store opening! The new Aesthetic Bay shop is on the fourth floor of Ion, the newest, shiniest mall in the coruscating, shimmering paean to capitalism that is Orchard Road. Going up the escalator, I noticed red drapes still covering the shop signs. Aside from the expected flower arrangements speared …
I slapped my forehead. Of course, why didn’t I think of that? Four Nakayas now nestle in the five-pen case. (The araishu, which I use least often, stays in its kimono.) The Oldwin has to remain in the largest slot, and even then has room to wiggle. The Nakaya pen kimono is one of the …