Searching all of Japan for handcrafted items that express its heart and soul, our proprietor, KASHIYUKA, presents things that bring a bit of luxury to everyday life. Her journey this time took her to Tottori prefecture. There she became acquainted with something extremely rare ― a fountain pen that is fully bespoke; custom-made according to an assessment of the writer’s handwriting and writing practices.
“The fountain pen was developed in a form similar to the current one in 19th century Europe, and production came to Japan in the 1910s. But demand for them decreased dramatically with the advent of later inventions like the ballpoint pen and email,” says Mr. Ryu Yamamoto, third-generation head of Mannenhitsu HAKASE studio, established in 1934.