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Japanese Fountain Pens

Sailor 1911 Casual L Galaxy Fountain Pen in Nebula Violet, Black IP Sailor 1911 Casual L Galaxy Fountain Pen in Nebula Violet, Black IP
$140
$175

The comparison price is the item MSRP and may not necessarily be the price at which the product is or was offered for sale.

11-3927-650
Sailor 1911 Casual L Galaxy Fountain Pen in Cosmic Abyss, Black IP Sailor 1911 Casual L Galaxy Fountain Pen in Cosmic Abyss, Black IP
$140
$175

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11-3927-644
Platinum 3776 Century Fountain Pen in Travia with FLAF Nib - 14K Gold Platinum 3776 Century Fountain Pen in Travia with FLAF Nib - 14K Gold
$718.40
$898

The comparison price is the item MSRP and may not necessarily be the price at which the product is or was offered for sale.

PLTM-PFL-600-M
Sailor 1911 Casual L Stable Fountain Pen in Muted Red, Gold Trim Sailor 1911 Casual L Stable Fountain Pen in Muted Red, Gold Trim
$232
$290

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11-0825-630
Sailor 1911 Casual L Stable Fountain Pen in Muted Green, Gold Trim Sailor 1911 Casual L Stable Fountain Pen in Muted Green, Gold Trim
$232
$290

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11-0825-660
Sailor 1911 Casual L Stable Fountain Pen in Muted Black, Gold Trim Sailor 1911 Casual L Stable Fountain Pen in Muted Black, Gold Trim
$232
$290

The comparison price is the item MSRP and may not necessarily be the price at which the product is or was offered for sale.

11-0825-620
Sailor 1911 Casual L Stable Fountain Pen in Muted Blue, Gold Trim Sailor 1911 Casual L Stable Fountain Pen in Muted Blue, Gold Trim
$232
$290

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11-0825-640
Namiki Emperor Fountain Pen in Owl - Medium Point Namiki Emperor Fountain Pen in Owl - Medium Point
$10,600
N61432
Sailor Pro Gear Slim Japanese Scenery Series Fountain Pen in Nyudogumo - 14kt Gold Sailor Pro Gear Slim Japanese Scenery Series Fountain Pen in Nyudogumo - 14kt Gold
$360
$450

The comparison price is the item MSRP and may not necessarily be the price at which the product is or was offered for sale.

11-8879-441
Sailor 1911 Large Fountain Pen in Shining Green - 18kt Gold Nib Sailor 1911 Large Fountain Pen in Shining Green - 18kt Gold Nib
$552
$690

The comparison price is the item MSRP and may not necessarily be the price at which the product is or was offered for sale.

11-2218-760
Sailor 1911 Large Fountain Pen in Black - 14kt Gold Nib Sailor 1911 Large Fountain Pen in Black - 14kt Gold Nib
$440
$550

The comparison price is the item MSRP and may not necessarily be the price at which the product is or was offered for sale.

11-1214-720
Sailor Tuzu Adjust Forge Fountain Pen in Gold Sailor Tuzu Adjust Forge Fountain Pen in Gold
$88
$110

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10-0473-679
Sailor Pro Gear Slim Shikiori Noyama No Uta Fountain Pen in Pheasant's Treble - Sailor Pro Gear Slim Shikiori Noyama No Uta Fountain Pen in Pheasant's Treble - "Kiji" with Gold Trim - Medium Fine Point
$340
$425

The comparison price is the item MSRP and may not necessarily be the price at which the product is or was offered for sale.

11-1231-304
Sailor Pro Gear Slim Shikiori Noyama No Uta Fountain Pen in Wagtail's Call - Sailor Pro Gear Slim Shikiori Noyama No Uta Fountain Pen in Wagtail's Call - "Sekirei" with Gold Trim - Medium Fine Point
$340
$425

The comparison price is the item MSRP and may not necessarily be the price at which the product is or was offered for sale.

11-1231-303
Sailor Pro Gear Slim Shikiori Noyama No Uta Fountain Pen in Hawk Apprentice - Sailor Pro Gear Slim Shikiori Noyama No Uta Fountain Pen in Hawk Apprentice - "Waka-taka" with Gold Trim - Medium Fine Point
$340
$425

The comparison price is the item MSRP and may not necessarily be the price at which the product is or was offered for sale.

11-1231-302
Pilot Prera Clear Fountain Pen in Red Pilot Prera Clear Fountain Pen in Red
$67.20
$84

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P22070
Pilot Prera Clear Fountain Pen in Light Blue Pilot Prera Clear Fountain Pen in Light Blue
$67.20
$84

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P22058
Pilot Prera Clear Fountain Pen in Blue Pilot Prera Clear Fountain Pen in Blue
$67.20
$84

The comparison price is the item MSRP and may not necessarily be the price at which the product is or was offered for sale.

P22052
Sailor Pro Gear Slim Japanese Scenery Series Fountain Pen in Hana-ikada - 14kt Gold Sailor Pro Gear Slim Japanese Scenery Series Fountain Pen in Hana-ikada - 14kt Gold
$360
$450

The comparison price is the item MSRP and may not necessarily be the price at which the product is or was offered for sale.

11-8993-331
Sailor Professional Gear Slim Seasonal Waka Poetry Fountain Pen in Winter - 14K Gold with Rhodium Plating Sailor Professional Gear Slim Seasonal Waka Poetry Fountain Pen in Winter - 14K Gold with Rhodium Plating
$360
$450

The comparison price is the item MSRP and may not necessarily be the price at which the product is or was offered for sale.

11-8988-441
Sailor Professional Gear Slim Seasonal Waka Poetry Fountain Pen in Autumn - 14K Gold Sailor Professional Gear Slim Seasonal Waka Poetry Fountain Pen in Autumn - 14K Gold
$360
$450

The comparison price is the item MSRP and may not necessarily be the price at which the product is or was offered for sale.

11-8987-473
Sailor Professional Gear Slim Seasonal Waka Poetry Fountain Pen in Summer - 14K Gold with Rhodium Plating Sailor Professional Gear Slim Seasonal Waka Poetry Fountain Pen in Summer - 14K Gold with Rhodium Plating
$360
$450

The comparison price is the item MSRP and may not necessarily be the price at which the product is or was offered for sale.

11-8986-441
Sailor Professional Gear Slim Seasonal Waka Poetry Fountain Pen in Spring - 14k Gold Sailor Professional Gear Slim Seasonal Waka Poetry Fountain Pen in Spring - 14k Gold
$360
$450

The comparison price is the item MSRP and may not necessarily be the price at which the product is or was offered for sale.

11-8985-460
Sailor Professional Gear Slim Dried Flower 2 Fountain Pen in Black Rose - 14k Gold Sailor Professional Gear Slim Dried Flower 2 Fountain Pen in Black Rose - 14k Gold
$340
$425

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11-8630-420
Sailor Professional Gear Slim 'Teatime Around the World' #5 Series Fountain Pen in Nerikiri - 14K Gold - Limited Edition Sailor Professional Gear Slim 'Teatime Around the World' #5 Series Fountain Pen in Nerikiri - 14K Gold - Limited Edition
$280
$350

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11-2054-450
Sailor Professional Gear King of Pens 'Teatime Around the World' #5 Series Fountain Pen in Matcha - 21K Gold Medium Limited Edition Sailor Professional Gear King of Pens 'Teatime Around the World' #5 Series Fountain Pen in Matcha - 21K Gold Medium Limited Edition
$1,120
$1,400

The comparison price is the item MSRP and may not necessarily be the price at which the product is or was offered for sale.

11-9694-460
Sailor Professional Gear Standard Sailor Professional Gear Standard "Teatime Around the World" #5 Series Fountain Pen in Matcha - 21K Gold - Limited Edition
$440
$550

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11-3304-360
Sailor 1911 Standard Ninja Fountain Pen in Star with Rhodium Trim - 14K Gold Sailor 1911 Standard Ninja Fountain Pen in Star with Rhodium Trim - 14K Gold
$392
$490

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11-8981-321
Sailor 1911 Standard Ninja Fountain Pen in Shachihoko with Rhodium Trim - 14K Gold Sailor 1911 Standard Ninja Fountain Pen in Shachihoko with Rhodium Trim - 14K Gold
$392
$490

The comparison price is the item MSRP and may not necessarily be the price at which the product is or was offered for sale.

11-8980-320
Sailor 1911 Standard Ninja Fountain Pen in Kusarigama with Gold Trim - 14K Gold Sailor 1911 Standard Ninja Fountain Pen in Kusarigama with Gold Trim - 14K Gold
$392
$490

The comparison price is the item MSRP and may not necessarily be the price at which the product is or was offered for sale.

11-8979-342
Sailor 1911 Standard Ninja Fountain Pen in Katana with Black Trim - 14K Gold Sailor 1911 Standard Ninja Fountain Pen in Katana with Black Trim - 14K Gold
$392
$490

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11-8978-320
Platinum Biso Fountain Pen in Flame Red Platinum Biso Fountain Pen in Flame Red
$184
$230

The comparison price is the item MSRP and may not necessarily be the price at which the product is or was offered for sale.

PLTM-PTL-15000-11-F
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Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Japanese fountain pens different from Western ones? +
Japanese fountain pens differ most from Western ones at the nib. The major Japanese brands cut their nibs in-house and grind them about one size finer, so a Japanese Fine writes closer to a Western Extra-Fine. That in-house control has earned them a reputation for consistency from pen to pen. Japan is also the birthplace of the capless fountain pen and unusual grinds like Sailor's Zoom or Pilot's Waverly, styles you rarely see on other fountain pens.
Do Japanese nibs really run finer than European and American nibs? +
Yes! A pen marked Fine from Pilot, Sailor, or Platinum lays down a line closer to a Western Extra-Fine, and a Japanese Medium sits near a Western Fine. The reason is practical: Japanese kanji characters call for thin, precise strokes, and the manufacturers cut their nibs to suit it. If you already own a Western Fine and like its width, you'll likely enjoy a Japanese Medium.
Which Japanese nib size is best for small handwriting? +
A Japanese Extra-Fine or Fine works best, because both nibs make thin, controlled lines that stay legible at small sizes. Steel-nib pens like the Pilot Preppy and Kakuno come in these sizes and are easy places to start. Remember that these grades run finer than their Western equivalents, so size up one grade if you're coming from a Western pen.
How do Pilot, Sailor, and Platinum fountain pens compare? +
Pilot nibs are glassy and low on feedback, where Sailor nibs offer the writer tactile feedback that many describe as pencil-like. Platinum sits between the two, with a firm and precise tactility. All three cut their nibs in-house. Writers often try one brand's steel-nibbed pen first, then commit to a gold nib once they know which company they prefer.
What is a capless fountain pen? +
A capless fountain pen has a retractable nib that clicks in and out with a knock mechanism, so there is no cap to unscrew. The Pilot Vanishing Point is the pen that made this design famous, and it sits with the other retractable fountain pens alongside its slimmer sibling, the Decimo. Because you can deploy it one-handed, it's a favorite for taking quick notes throughout the workday.
What drives the price of Japanese fountain pens? +
Entry-level models rely on machine-stamped stainless steel nibs and molded plastics, keeping costs negligible while delivering exceptional everyday performance. Mid-tier models like Pilot E95S introduce gold nibs, which add raw precious metal value alongside the labor-intensive tuning needed for a smoother writing feel. At the top tier sit luxury instruments coated in hand-applied urushi lacquer or decorated by master artisans using maki-e techniques, as with the Namiki line.
How does a gold nib compare to a steel nib? +
A gold nib gives you a softer, more responsive feel than steel, with tines that offer a little bounce. Japanese steel nibs work excellently, and plenty of collectors keep a steel pen permanently inked. What the jump to gold buys you is cushioned feedback that some writers love and others can't live without. If you're looking to buy your first gold nib, pens like the Pilot E95s and Custom 74 are high-value places to start.
Which ink cartridges and converters fit Pilot, Sailor, and Platinum pens? +
Pilot, Sailor, and Platinum use their own proprietary cartridges and converters, so a cartridge from one brand won't fit another. On many pens, the basic converter is included, but you can buy your converters or cartridges separately on our refills page, too. If you're unsure which refill matches which pen, our cartridge and converter compatibility guide maps it out.
Is a Japanese fountain pen a good first pen for beginners? +
A Japanese fountain pen is one of the best first pens you can buy, because the entry models are forgiving, affordable, and write reliably. The Platinum Preppy, Pilot Kakuno, and Metropolitan are the usual recommendations, all steel-nibbed and easy to manage. We've rounded up more starter-friendly picks in the beginner fountain pens collection.
Are these Japanese pens genuine, authorized-dealer stock? +
Yes. We're an authorized retailer of all the pens we sell, so these Japanese pens are genuine and backed by their manufacturer's warranty. Check for your pen's particular terms on our warranty information page.