2018 March Tokyo Trip Report

[koofle]

Another March, another Tokyo trip. Visited Bungbox, Itoya, and the two pen shows, but first, a meeting with Hakase's Yamamoto-san to pick up my gorgeous black buffalo horn.

From Bungbox, their 8 pen box, "Eight pens a week [Toyooka Craft X Bung Box]" . I didn't buy any pens from them this year. Kaoru-san remembers every customer who passes by! Video of bungbox box in action here.

Kakimori and their Inkstand was a pleasant soujourn in a quieter neighbourhood. I did not make a custom notebook at Kakimori but I did sign up for an hour of ink mixing at inkstand.

Ink Stand, outside

Ink Stand, inside. you can see the base pigments and mixing equipment

Kakimori, where you can make your own custom notebook

Many shelves around the store with stationery, here's one of pencils

Side-note, Yamada Heiando is a laquerware brand with gorgeous household urushi pieces, and a fountain pen collaboration with Sailor or two. You can find branches at Daikanyama and Ginza Six. These have extra long bodies.

To the meat of the trip! Maruzen and Mitsukoshi. Here's a quick summary

The inks. Here's the Maruzen ink, Nihombashi Keyaki, named after a species of Japanese elm tree

Mitsukoshi named theirs after a tea.

Swatch

Bought this year's Maruzen Pilot Urushi in red, to go with the blue from last year.

Mitsukoshi's pens had a lot of Edo-period motifs which was very attractive, but I went with the pair of decimos. A more official name might be the 2018 Mitsukoshi Capless 市松 (Ichimatsu, "Checkered") in pink and blue.

Also, the 100th anniversary of Pilot this year has spurred something in me and I bought a 95th anniversary from Euro-box. Fuji-san very helpful and a delight to talk with as always.

Also picked up a few pens from Antique Fairs and Weekend Flea Markets. Very fun! Platinum Sterling Silver pen in large size, Pilot Super 200, and a Senator Student piston filler. Maybe I'll share more about those in the future. Meanwhile, stay tuned on https://www.instagram.com/inquisitivequill/ if you want more updates!

[koofle]

Forgot to add: Lamy thinking tools exhibit, mostly showcasing the design and thought process.

 

Got some postcards and a pen, the Lamy Noto.

 

And an obligatory Itoya shot.

[white_lotus]

Wow. Thanks so much for sharing!

[hellokloh]

That buffalo horn pen is gorgeous! Is the section also horn?

[gerigo]

Thanks for the update. I really appreciate you taking the time to "bring us along". It's always nice to see what are the new amazing places you have discovered.

 

BTW PLEASE continue with your videos. I really appreciate the unique point of view you have, and really cannot wait for a review of the Hakase.

[Mew]

That buffalo horn pen is gorgeous! Is the section also horn?

I also have one so I hope that qualifies me to answer: no, the section is made from ebonite.

[Alex Howard]

Gasp! You never fail to amaze, Leo. Everything is beautiful. Everything.

[koofle]

Wow. Thanks so much for sharing!

Thanks for reading!

 

That buffalo horn pen is gorgeous! Is the section also horn?

As Mew already replied, no. The section is ebonite.

 

Thanks for the update. I really appreciate you taking the time to "bring us along". It's always nice to see what are the new amazing places you have discovered.

 

BTW PLEASE continue with your videos. I really appreciate the unique point of view you have, and really cannot wait for a review of the Hakase.

We are! It's just that real life has intervened and it's a lot harder for us to record these days... We have several episodes in the pipeline though, so it's not like we aren't making content! Editing just takes longer now.

 

Gasp! You never fail to amaze, Leo. Everything is beautiful. Everything.

Thank you! It was a very fun trip!

[Newjelan]

Brilliant, thanks

[Penbeginner]

Excellent report as usual but always looking forward to see your video report more.

[jmccarty3]

Your buffalo horn Hakase is my preferred model, since we can't bring tortoise shell into the US.

[Mew]

I forgot: Congratulations on the new acquisitions Koofle. Hope you enjoyed the pen fair(s).

[Dickkooty2]

A fantastic journey of places, pens, and the presentation of writing implements as a part of Japanese culture!

[Mew]

Your buffalo horn Hakase is my preferred model, since we can't bring tortoise shell into the US.

If you can hand carry, it should be possible. I know a few people who carried theirs back to their home country.

[zaddick]

Thank you for sharing.

 

I think it is still illegal to carry a tortoise shell pen in to the US, it is just the likelihood of getting caught is probably quite slim.

[Rosendust2121]

Thank you so much for sharing! I can't wait until I'm able to travel to Japan!

[Mew]

Thank you for sharing.

 

I think it is still illegal to carry a tortoise shell pen in to the US, it is just the likelihood of getting caught is probably quite slim.

Ah, okay. From what I read, that's the case almost everywhere. It's banned in 90% of the countries. Most people can't tell it apart from acrylic or Celluloid, so highly unlikely anyone would get caught.

[philhygra]

I agree the likelihood of getting caught is slight, but dealing with things made of endangered animals is prohibited in order to protect these creatures. Many other less harmful sources for bones and horns exist. The great pen shown here is a magnificent example of this.

[katanankes]

Great report, it almost feels I was there!

[Tasmith]

Thank you for sharing!!!

 

Love the Bungubox 8 pen box! May I ask you how much?