Opening Ceremony of The Timeless Craftsmanship of Maki-e: Namiki – Past, Present, Future
 Guests at the opening.  Namiki Kokkokai artisan Mr. Seiki Chida doing live maki-e demonstration.  Pilot Pen Doctor Mr Kiyoshi Hasegawa at work. |
The opening ceremony of The Timeless Craftsmanship of Maki-e: Namiki – Past, Present, Future was held at JCC on Thursday, 13 November 2025. Showcasing the craftsmanship behind the unique combination of Japanese lacquerware art Maki-e and fountain pens, the exhibition celebrates Maki-e – Japan's centuries-old craft of painting with precious metals and lacquer – as well as its poetic beauty through a breathtaking journey featuring a collection of Namiki fountain pens created over the years.
H.E. Tommy Koh , Ambassador-at-large of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Singapore, graced the ceremony as the Guest-of-Honour, alongside H.E. Ambassador Ishikawa Hiroshi, Pilot Corporation President Mr Fumio Fujisaki and Pilot Pen Singapore Managing Director Mr Taisuke Ryu. Remarkably, in congratulating the exhibition opening, H.E. Tommy Koh revealed that a Namiki fountain pen was used by the then Prime Minister of Singapore Mr Goh Chok Tong in signing the historic US-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (USSFTA) with US President George W. Bush back in 2003. Guests at the opening were also treated to a rare live maki-e demonstration by Namiki Kokkokai artisan Mr Seiki Chida, as well as an intricate display of nib restoration by Pilot Pen Doctor Mr Kiyoshi Hasegawa. Both masters travelled from Japan exclusively for the ceremony and exhibition. Many of the visitors were also able to witness the live maki-e demonstration and restore their fountain nibs on 15 November. Co-organised by JCC and Pilot Pen Singapore, the exhibition was held from 15 to 22 November 2025. |
 VVIP Group photo. |
 H.E. Ambassador Ishikawa Hiroshi giving his speech. |
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 Pilot Corporation President Mr Fumio Fujisaki giving his speech. |
 Pilot Pen Singapore Managing Director Mr Taisuke Ryu giving his speech. |
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 Guest-of-Honour H.E. Ambassador Tommy Koh giving his speech. |
 Guests at the opening. |
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Japan Creative Centre 4 Nassim Road, Singapore 258372 +65 6737 0434 / jcc@sn.mofa.go.jp http://www.sg.emb-japan.go.jp/JCC Nearest parking at Orchard Hotel & Delphi Orchard |
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