Along the busy streets of Orchard Rd, people strolled under cheerful Christmas songs playing from public speakers. Traffic wasn’t so bad during the day, but I still needed some time to get used to the aggressive driving and the quick pace of life.

Before this trip, I hadn’t fully grasped the pen scene in Singapore. My impression of the country was that of a futuristically developed nation, leading Asia in technology. My Google searches led me to “bookstore-like” pen shops, with standard selections of entry-level pens, planners, and bullet journals. It wasn’t much, but I thought it might make for a few decent Instagram posts.

When I first glimpsed Elephant & Coral’s boutique, I was filled with awe and fascination. The burgundy wood interior adorned with gold accents exuded a well-aged atmosphere.

“Hi, I have an appointment with Mr. Herman?”

He was a gentleman in every sense—warm and welcoming. Before I knew it, we were chatting about the two beautiful Sanyu prints on the center walls. He spoke of painters and art pieces with such knowledge that the world of art collecting didn’t feel as distant as I’d imagined. I learned quite a bit, and that was just the beginning.

The entire store was filled with grail pens from various brands—Montegrappa, Stipula, GvFC, you name it, they probably had it tucked away in one of those drawers. But what truly captured my attention was a bright wall full of Pilot Namikis. You could see the core range of Pilot’s 2-3 digit models and a plethora of Caplesses. The more I looked, the wider my eyes grew as I took in the nearly complete range of Nippon Art and Yukari Royale fountain pens. Right then, I knew I was in the right place.

I asked about the store’s history, and Mr. Herman gently brought out two Namiki Emperors—not just any Emperors, but a red and black urushi pair from the Seki-shun collection. Limited to just 50 pieces each, these pens were commissioned specifically for Elephant & Coral to commemorate their 9th anniversary in 2005.

Their history ran deep—Elephant & Coral was established in 1996 as a specialized fountain pen store, and its relationship with Pilot Namiki has flourished since 1998. This pair of Seki-shun pens symbolized Pilot Namiki’s appreciation for Elephant & Coral and highlighted the boutique’s role in making Pilot world-famous. Pilot is generally conservative with limited editions outside Japan, making it a feast for the eyes to see not one but a pair of these pens commissioned specifically for this boutique.

Mr. Herman presented this Seki Shun pair with a pride typically reserved for family heirlooms. Under the boutique’s warm lights, their smooth, vivid urushi lacquer seemed to glow. He described how each piece is coated in multiple layers of lacquer, dried and polished with painstaking care to achieve the rich, deep sheen that defines Namiki’s most celebrated works. These pens were more than luxury items; they were creations honoring a timeworn process—a lineage of artists pouring their skill and heritage into each brushstroke.

I casually mentioned a limited-edition Elephant maki-e fountain pen sold in Vietnam recently. Mr. Herman added, “Have you noticed there was another one with the coral motif back in 2021?” That moment of realization struck me, and I felt like a kid in front of a candy store window again.

Around the boutique, maki-e pens told their own tales—many depicting scenes from nature, Japanese symbolism, or folklore. The Yukari Royale collection was especially striking, with cherry blossoms and dragons delicately illustrated in gold and colored powders on black lacquer. Each design embodied both beauty and deep cultural significance, inviting you to carry a piece of Japan with every word.

Just when I thought I’d seen it all, Mr. Herman shared a remarkable story about Ms. Yoko Namiki, the granddaughter of Namiki’s founder, Mr. Ryosuke Namiki.

In 2000, while settling into life in Singapore, Ms. Namiki happened to pass by Elephant & Coral and saw a book in the storefront: *Namiki: The Art of Japanese Lacquer Pens*. It featured a portrait of her grandfather. Touched by this unexpected connection, she bought the book as a tribute to her family’s legacy and returned months later with a photo of her family gathered around the book at her grandfather’s shrine in Japan. As a token of gratitude, Ms. Namiki gifted the boutique a Japanese ceramic cup inscribed with her blessings—a testament to Namiki’s enduring legacy and the personal bonds Elephant & Coral nurtures.

The final surprise came when Mr. Herman pulled out a well-stacked folder of A4 pages. From the first glance, I knew we were in for a treat. As he flipped through scanned newspaper articles and vintage catalog pages, I was captivated by pieces from the pre-WWI era and unique “off-catalog” items only seen here. And of course, no pictures allowed!

We continued our conversation about art and whiskies as he introduced me to rare bottles of Hibiki and Macallan. Leaving the boutique, I felt awe not just for the pens but for the people preserving their legacy. Elephant & Coral, with its understated elegance and curated stories, taught me that collecting pens isn’t about luxury. It’s about connecting to a lineage, preserving an art form, and honoring the hands that crafted each piece. In a world often eager to modernize at all costs, this boutique reminds us that some things are worth slowing down for, that beauty resides in the smallest details, and that history is often waiting behind doors we almost don’t open.

My time here felt like a journey through time—a rare glimpse into the soul of a boutique that understands some stories are written not just in ink but in artistry, tradition, and passion. Since 1996, Elephant & Coral has been more than a store; it’s a steward of legacies, a haven for those seeking beauty in the everyday, and a bridge between worlds. If you’re looking for the most complete and exotic collection of Pilot Namikis, I’d recommend Elephant & Coral 1000%! They ship worldwide, and I’ll leave their contact information below. Be sure to let them know awritingguy sent you!

Thanks to Mr. Herman for the warm welcome and the delicious curry puffs!

**Elephant & Coral’s Contact:**

333A Orchard Road #03-03

Mandarin Gallery, Singapore 238897

(65) 6736-1322

sales@elephant-coral.com

**Opening Hours:**

Monday to Saturday: 11:00 - 20:00

Sunday: 11:00 - 19:30

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