Fountain Pen Is Not Really Popular In Japan?

[binbean]

I am a foreigner who live in Japan quite long. I love fountain pen and Japan was like heaven for me because I thought I would find a lot of fountain pens here as well as fountain pen friends.

i did get a lot of Japanese fountain pens but sadly not many fountain pen friends.

People around me don't really use fountain pen, some even got no ideas what mannenhitsu (fountain pen) is. Fountain pens are used mostly as gifts or for some conferences.

Is this the same situation in your country? And do you have many fountain pen friends in your daily life.

This is what I have wondered for so long and I think FPN is the best place to get an answer.

 

Thank you very much in advance.

[Azuniga]

I am not an expert in Japan but I have been there many times and I think it is not easy for a foreigner to get involved with locals, although you seems to understand Japanese, it should be easier.

 

Now there was a pen show in Tokyo just a few weeks ago and as I look at he images showed here, there were a lot of people and very enthusiastic. Just when I saw this thread there was two more in the introductions section from Japanese people, maybe you should write them...

 

Good luck

[sciumbasci]

An exchange student once told me that the popular choice for students was a mechanical pencil, the finer the better, and he was complaining with me because he had to order pencils from ebay since stationery shops rarely stock anything below 05

[ENewton]

Is it that fountain pens are not popular, or that people are less likely to form social alliances based on their choice of writing implement?

 

Might it be that, in Japan, having fountain-pen friends would be the equivalent of having, say, fork friends or pillowcase friends?

[Karmachanic]

I'm going out on a limb to say there's a valid reason Sailor makes all those Japan exclusive inks.

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/272272-sailors-full-ink-lines-including-shop-exclusives-compiled-in-a-post/

And pen shops

https://www.stutler.cc/pens/tokyo/

 

Fountain pen people can definitely be found at fountain pen shops. I suggest you start there.

[mke]

There is a Group called 萬年筆研究会【wagner.

Here is their meeting schedule:

http://pelikan.livedoor.biz/archives/52219144.html

Edited November 4, 2018 by mke

[binbean]

I am not an expert in Japan but I have been there many times and I think it is not easy for a foreigner to get involved with locals, although you seems to understand Japanese, it should be easier.

 

Now there was a pen show in Tokyo just a few weeks ago and as I look at he images showed here, there were a lot of people and very enthusiastic. Just when I saw this thread there was two more in the introductions section from Japanese people, maybe you should write them...

 

Good luck

Thank you so much for your suggestions. Yes, the Tokyo Pen Show was awesome, but maybe sometimes it's hard to find friends around my age (20s) who also have interest in fountain pen.

Anyway, I think I will find more friends here

[binbean]

An exchange student once told me that the popular choice for students was a mechanical pencil, the finer the better, and he was complaining with me because he had to order pencils from ebay since stationery shops rarely stock anything below 05

It's very true that students prefer using mechanical pencils and yes, mostly of them are from 0.5. When I was in college, it was very rare to see any friend who also uses fountain pen. This is really strange to me

[binbean]

Is it that fountain pens are not popular, or that people are less likely to form social alliances based on their choice of writing implement?

 

Might it be that, in Japan, having fountain-pen friends would be the equivalent of having, say, fork friends or pillowcase friends?

I think so too. In Japan, most young people use pencils or ballpoint pens so finding some friends around my age who also uses fountain pen is really hard, or maybe I haven't found the way yet

[binbean]

I'm going out on a limb to say there's a valid reason Sailor makes all those Japan exclusive inks.

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/272272-sailors-full-ink-lines-including-shop-exclusives-compiled-in-a-post/

And pen shops

https://www.stutler.cc/pens/tokyo/

 

Fountain pen people can definitely be found at fountain pen shops. I suggest you start there.

Definitely true. I made great friends with fountain pen shop owners and some sellers from fountain pen shops. Some pen shows or exhibitions are also great place to make fountain pen friends.

I am hoping for some offline group that can meet up weekly or monthly. That would be awesome

[binbean]

There is a Group called 萬年筆研究会【wagner.

Here is their meeting schedule:

http://pelikan.livedoor.biz/archives/52219144.html

Thank you so much for this helpful resource. I am also thinking of attending Kobe pen show

[mke]

@binbean

If you live since long time in Japan, you should actually know

* that Japanese often do not tell what they really like - they might like fountain pens but will not tell you because they consider it personal area (especially if they write a diary)

* that (pen) friends is not something typical Japanese

* that not every Japanese likes to be in contact with foreigners, being fluent in Japanese or not

 

> I made great friends with fountain pen shop owners and some sellers from fountain pen shops.

friends????

[binbean]

@binbean

If you live since long time in Japan, you should actually know

* that Japanese often do not tell what they really like - they might like fountain pens but will not tell you because they consider it personal area (especially if they write a diary)

* that (pen) friends is not something typical Japanese

* that not every Japanese likes to be in contact with foreigners, being fluent in Japanese or not

 

> I made great friends with fountain pen shop owners and some sellers from fountain pen shops.

friends????

Thank you @mke. I totally agree with your point that it's not something typical Japanese.

Yes, it's true because most of people who talk with me about fountain pens are those who are really open to foreigners.

I sometimes visit local stores to buy pens and have some talk with the store owner. Sometimes do exchange information and share the experiences. To me that is currently the only way have interact with people who also like or know about fountain pen in Japan. Maybe I should research more.

 

Thank you anyway.