Tokyo Inklings

CY and Jacob delve into Hobonichi's paper troubles, analyze eye-opening fountain pen sales figures from Nikkei, and discuss how to address rumors.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

CY and Jacob discuss Pilot's latest product announcements, Sailor's ongoing financial woes, upcoming stationery events in Tokyo, and recent US pen shows.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

CY and Jacob discuss fountain pen marketing, the Q1 earnings of Pilot and Sailor, and share their first impressions of the Sailor Tuzu.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

CY and Jacob discuss Sailor's new Tuzu pen, Korean stationery, glass pen snobbery, recent and upcoming events, and Mitsubishi Pencil's trademark headaches in early postwar Japan.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

CY and Jacob, joined by returning guests Khuê and Alesa, discuss spring pen fairs, stationery M&A news, earthquakes, and a new steel nib. This episode was recorded on March 3rd.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

CY, Jacob, along with returning guests Khuê and Alesa, reflect on the past year and make some predictions for 2024. Note: This episode was recorded early on January 1st, hours before the earthquake. All of us are OK, and we will talk about it in the next episode.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

CY, Jacob, and returning guests Khuê and Alesa talk about recent acquisitions, pen shows, Sailor saturation, and mystery vac fillers.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

CY, Jacob, and returning guests Khuê and Alesa talk about last month's pen shows, Pro Gear saturation, and distilled water.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

CY and Jacob talk about large and small Sailor nibs, long flights, retractable fountain pens, clicky keyboards, vermilion urushi, and owls.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

CY and Jacob talk about turned acrylics, faceted barrels, price increases, counterfeit pens, and middle names.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

CY, Jacob, and returning guests Alesa and Khuê look back at 2022 and try to make a few predictions for 2023.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

CY and Jacob discuss stationery gifts, Pilot's elusive annual Capless LE, filling systems, clicky knocks, and vintage camera lenses.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

CY and Jacob discuss Maruzen's 2023 spring event lineup, Pilot's new 30th-anniversary Custom 74, flea markets, kimono fabric, and sticker printers.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

Jacob, CY, and guests April from Penguins Creative and Alesa recap TIPS 2022 and discuss planners, new pen releases, engraved gold nibs, and shrinking profit margins.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

Jacob and CY come together to give you the live update from the Tokyo International Pen Show! Wait... but it's almost two weeks late?! You can blame CY for that. He failed to upload the audio on time, but better late than never?   Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

CY, Jacob, and returning guests Alesa and Khuê discuss nib grind names, paper testing, shady business practices, Montblanc's Naruto pen, price increases, and TIPS expectations.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

CY and Jacob talk about bankruptcies, biomass, nib-shaped factory buildings, and new releases from Sailor, PenBBS, and Majohn.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

CY and Jacob talk about Shishikura pens, Toyooka trays, Hobonichi paper testing results, nib padawans, and anime inks.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

CY and Jacob talk about Bungujoshi's annual ink show in Tokyo, paper theories, new pen releases, lemons, factory calligraphy nibs, and the business of nib grinding.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

CY and Jacob talk about CY's pen adventures in the US, pocket pens, Sailor's new dip pen, upcoming retail events in Tokyo, maki-e stickers, and Japan's commercial transactions law.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

CY and Jacob talk about differences between pen shows in US and Japan, Shishikura and Wagner pen news, how Sanzen intentionally tweaked Tomoegawa's paper formula, Icelandic volcanoes, and more.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

CY, Jacob, and guest Alesa talk about Itoya’s ink show, prison-made glass pens, unpopular opinions, and how to buy pens from Japan.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

CY and Jacob talk about glass pens made in prison, ink trends, Hachimonjiya's sparkly new Pro Gear, and Platinum's surprisingly popular new pen.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

CY, Jacob, and guests Khuê and Alesa discuss TWSBI's and Narwhal's joint statement, Plus's acquisition of Sailor, upcoming events, dip pens, and CY's spicy article about Wancher.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

CY and Jacob talk about Platinum's all-new nib, Sailor's upcoming price increases, a new store-exclusive Capless, Naniwa pen show, dip pens, and more.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

Frank from Narwhal Pens joins Jacob and CY to talk about in-house nibs, piston designs, upcoming products, and much more.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

CY and Jacob talk about stationery store visits during Golden Week, Pilot and Sailor news, and the Noodler’s Ink controversy that’s rocking the fountain pen world. (Trigger warning: there is discussion of antisemitic imagery from Noodler’s Ink)   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

CY and Jacob talk about Sanzen Tomoe River, Tono & Lims's spring event, Kurashiki, financial statements, new products from Pilot, and Tohma pens.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

CY, Jacob, and Khuê talk about exciting paper news, the return of Kamihaku, a popular Traveler's notebook release, and elusive Sailor inks from Tochigi.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

Khuê, Alesa, and CY get together to talk about Mythical Emperors, Kurashiki, and give their best entry, mid range, and high end pen suggestions.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

CY and Jacob talk about TWSBI’s outburst, new Sailor and Pilot releases, earthquakes, and shipping difficulties.    Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

Jacob and CY talk about expected and unexpected pen fairs, a new ink trend, nibs with pacifiers, and a new retailer-exclusive Decimo.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

Jacob contacted Kaweco, CY went to Nagasaki, and Shishikura ran out of chunky glitter.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

CY, Jacob, and guests Alesa and Khuê talk about Pilot’s new pastel-colored pens, Bungubox’s latest releases, glass pens, inks for pen and paper testing, and answer a few listener questions.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

CY and Jacob talk about investigative journalism, PenBBS's carved nibs, Kakimori's announcement, and the latest releases by Platinum and Sailor.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

CY, Jacob, Khuê, and Alesa look back at 2021 and try to make a few predictions for 2022.    Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

CY and Jacob talk about Tono & Lims’s chaotic winter event, highly coveted glass pens, Wagner’s past Sailor LEs, extra-stiff Pilot nibs, Japan’s largest stationery show, and how Nagahara explained the King Cobra.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

CY and Jacob talk about Maruzen's 2022 pen fair lineup, Sailor's Pro Gear configurator, Kakimori's metal dip nibs, and CY's visit to Tohma.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

Jacob and CY talk about Kubo's monster nibs, Ohashido's unusual deal with Sailor, Mori's Wagner pen plans, Tohma, Capless news, and a bunch of new releases from Sailor.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

CY and Jacob bring you once again live coverage from the Tokyo International Pen Show 2021! Watching the video version in the show notes is highly recommended to see the products as the hosts talk about them.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

In this third "emergency" episode, Jacob and CY talk about a major announcement regarding Tomoe River. Show notes with links. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

Jacob, CY, and guests Alesa and Khuê talk about Pilot's unexpected Iroshizuku announcement, 2022 planner choices, the big pen show next month, Ancora's Sailor event, and Shosaikan's new pen.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

Jacob and CY talk about custom acrylics, CY's trip to HK, vintage celluloid Montblanc pens, Itoya's system techo event, and Sailor's latest urushi pens.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

CY and Jacob discuss exciting paper news from Sakae TP, the annual Inku-numa show, Maruzen's autumn event, Moonman's revenge pen, and new product announcements from Sailor.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

CY and Jacob talk about Plotter and other system techo planners, Maruzen's upcoming events and pens, calligraphy nibs, Wagner news, and the history of Nakaya.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

CY and Jacob talk about melon soda, Sailor's flooded factory, a colorful new Platinum pen, and Jacob's descent into the glass pen swamp.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

CY and Jacob talk about new acquisitions, discuss pros and cons of glass pens vs Drillog, more Chinese calligraphy nibs, paper and ink news, and also drool over the Lamborghini of fountain pens.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

CY and Jacob dissect a statement from Kaweco, and also talk about Sailor's latest earnings, nib stacking, EDC, current fountain pen trends, and what sets Pilot apart from other pen makers.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

CY and Jacob talk about affordable naginata grinds, Pikachu-themed boardroom pens, rebottled Sailor inks, Kickstarter funding goals, red polar bears, and creepy sushi mascots.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

CY and Jacob try out a trendy new paper and discuss Drillog, the annual Pen Trading in Tokyo, and their thoughts on Platinum’s Kinshu and Sailor’s 110th-anniversary pen after trying both at Maruzen this week.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

CY, Jacob, and guests Akane, Alesa, and Khuê talk about glass pens, paper testing, tax-deductible dip pens, and cat influencers.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

CY and Jacob debunk the latest Tomoe River rumors and talk about paper options, chubby pens, the latest Sailor products, and gray importers.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

CY and Jacob sort out what's going on with Tomoe River, discuss double standards in the pen community, and talk about the latest new product announcements.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

CY and Jacob talk about telescopic piston fillers, tax deductible pens, two new Platinum releases, and why they're passionate about fountain pens.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

CY and Jacob talk about how not to ink up a vintage pen, about Japan's third state of emergency and what it means for stationery stores and events, and about Nagahara's views on stacked nibs, overseas pen makers, and more.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

CY, Jacob, and Pilot collector extraordinaire Leo Fok (aka Inquisitive Quill) geek out about Pilot’s history and many models, nibs, filling systems, and shareholder gifts.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

CY and Jacob talk about Plus and Sailor's all-new sub-brand, product launches, and Apple-esque retail store in Tokyo's posh Ginza shopping district.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

CY, Jacob, Khue, and Alesa get together after the Maruzen World Pen Fair to discuss the event, Pilot's latest exciting releases, and Sailor's never ending LEs as well as a surprise release from Kokuyo.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

CY, Jacob, and special guest Alesa argue about a new, colorful Pilot pen, and talk about stacked nibs, composite materials, and robotics news.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

CY and Jacob talk about broken arms, cracked caps, bankruptcies, news, and quintessentially Japanese pens.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

CY and Jacob talk about welded nib experiments, Nagahara's opinions on zoom nibs, and the latest batch of Sailor releases.    Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

CY and Jacob talk about Onoto and Maruzen, junk bin finds, cat shows, wooden pens, and stationery events during Tokyo's second state of emergency.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

CY, Jacob, Khuê, and Alesa look back at the major events in 2020 and also try to make a few predictions.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

CY and Jacob discuss an unusual auction find, CY's latest haul, Maruzen's pen fair lineup, a bunch of new Sailor releases (again), and a new Pilot LE from Fukushima.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

CY and Jacob sit down for a discussion on Sailors, Pilot's new sub-brand, the new Platinum Procyon.... and four butts?   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

CY, Jacob, Khuê, and Alesa talk about TIPS, glass pen drama, new Sailor releases, Mercari finds, and disappointing eyedroppers.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

CY and Jacob report live from the 2020 Tokyo International Pen Show.   Video recording.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

CY and special guest Akane talk about growing up with stationery in Japan, differences across borders, and what it's like to be a stationery fan as a run of the mill Japanese (?).   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

CY and Jacob talk about whimsical roll stoppers, fat Japanese nibs, disclosure reports, non-angular typography, the future of stationery events in Japan, and a sparkly Kyoto Opal pen.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

CY and Jacob talk about Bokumondoh beauties, notebooks, chubby vintage pens, pen and ink news, and streets for men.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

CY, Jacob, Khuê, and Alesa talk about observations and haul from Japan's biggest ink show. (This episode was recorded at a nearby cafe with a single microphone, so please kindly forgive the audio quality.)   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

CY, Jacob, and Khuê talk about paper, planners, nib engraving, Chinese pens, and metal powder.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

In this second 'emergency' episode, CY and Jacob talk about new announcements from Sailor. Show notes with links. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

CY, Jacob, and Khuê talk about new LE Sailors, Nakaya, glass nibs, a big ink show, and answer listener questions.   Show notes with links. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

CY and Jacob talk about a golden Bokumondoh pen, ink mixing, nib plating, Nagahara nib grinds, a creepy mermaid (again), and some ink news.   Show notes with links. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

CY and Jacob talk about a Sailor pen with healing vibrations, ink blending with Sailor's Ishimaru, exciting Bungubox news, Tomoe River, and answer listener questions. Show notes with links. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

CY, Jacob, and guests Khuê and Alesa talk about Wagner's pen trading event, Nagahara news, Plus follow-ups, new releases, and answer listener questions. Show notes with links. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

In this first 'emergency' episode, CY and Jacob talk about a major business news story involving Sailor. Show notes with links. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

CY and Jacob talk about new acquisitions, a mystery pen maker from South Korea, new ink releases, flanges, and another ink book. Show notes with links. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

CY and Jacob talk about Klingon swords, Sailor nibs, Bokumondoh, safety pens, Kakimori, and more. Show notes with links. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

CY, Jacob, and returning guest Khue talk creepy mermaids, Platinum drama, interesting vintage finds, and Sailors. Lots and lots of Sailors. Show notes with links. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

CY, Jacob, and guest Khue talk new acquisitions, recent online events, the vast ink swamp, and answer listener questions. Show notes with links. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

CY and Jacob talk new pen and ink releases, convenience store stationery, navigating ink events, and Japanese influencers. Show notes with links. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

CY and Jacob talk Chinese inks, swabbing, naginata nibs, Asian calligraphy, pen collecting in Japan, and little-known brands. Show notes with links. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

CY and Jacob talk about Maruzen, sparkly Sailor pens, stationery hunting during State of Emergency, paper, and pen doctors. Show notes with links. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

Tokyo Inklings by CY (@tokyostationpens) and Jacob (@fudefan, fudefan.com). Episode one: The Holy Land CY and Jacob gather to discuss the lay of the land and the general Japanese fountain pen scene, pen shows, and more! Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).