How to Clean, Refill and Maintain Namiki Emperor Fountain Pens (4K)

This video demonstrates refilling, cleaning and wiping down Namiki Emperor pens. It also includes the instructions on maintenance included in the booklet supplied with the pens. It is a general guide only, and not intended to be an exhaustive assessment of maintaining maki-e or of deep cleaning the pens.

Emperor pens are eyedroppers which means that the barrel needs to be flushed with water to clean it out, as well as the section and nib/feed. Use cool water and dry off the pens with a soft cloth afterwards. Give the pens a wipe with a soft cloth after each time you handle them to remove sweat and oils, and store them away from UV light.

The pens are filled by using a syringe to add ink into the barrel, up until the point where it reaches the plug part which forms the valve. Then attach the section and unscrew the valve at the back of the pen a few turns to move the plus back into the barrel and allow the ink to flow into the section and nib.

The Namiki booklet describes how ultraviolet light can reduce the shine on urushi pens, and advises to keep them out of such light. Urushi also prefers environments with some humidity so storage inside the wooden box they are supplied with is ideal, and avoid intentionally exposing them to very dry environments where possible. It also states to avoid acid as it can damage raden and rankaku (egg-shell) work on the pens.

In general urushi is very hard and the pens are made to last lifetimes as long as you take basic care of them.