Water-Based Ink Ballpoint Pen

With its release by OHTO Co., Ltd. in 1964, the W, the world’s first water-based ink ballpoint pen, gained a reputation in Japan and around the world for a smooth stroke that oil-based ink ballpoint pens could not deliver. The latest water-based ink ballpoint pen, the CR01, has a unique design that prevents the tip from drying out even when left uncapped. Photos: OHTO Co., Ltd.
Bottom: W, the world’s first water-based ink ballpoint pen

Ballsign Gel Ink Pen

The Ballsign was the world’s first ballpoint pen to use ink with pigment suspended in a water-based gel. The gelling agent added to water-based ink delivered the smooth strokes of a ballpoint pen and the durability of oil-based ink. This flowing jelly-like ink could hold a variety of pigments, which paved the way for ballpoint pens in a multitude of colors. Photo: SAKURA COLOR PRODUCTS CORPORATION

Frixion Retractable Ballpoint Pen

The erasable ballpoint pen revolutionized the world of stationery. The special eraser at the end of the pen, which creates frictional heat that causes the ink to react by becoming transparent, marked a new era in pens. Photos: PILOT Corporation

Jetstream Standard Ballpoint Pen

This ballpoint pen with ultra-low viscosity oil-based ink reduces friction to provide a smooth writing experience and thick, dark lines. Since its launch in 2006, the Jetstream Standard Ballpoint Pen has driven a global boom in low-viscosity oil-based ink ballpoint pens. Photo: MITSUBISHI PENCIL COMPANY, LIMITED

Kuru Toga

This mechanical pencil maintains its sharp lines by rotating the lead with each stroke to ensure that it wears evenly. The Kuru Toga boasts cumulative sales of over 100 million since its launch in 2008. Photo: MITSUBISHI PENCIL COMPANY, LIMITED

High Polymer Pencil Lead

Fine pencil leads were made possible by utilizing the properties of synthetic resin, which carbonizes when heated and hardens when combined with graphite. In 1960, 0.9mm pencil lead was released, following by 0.7mm and 0.5mm in 1962. Photo: Pentel Co., Ltd.

Art Brush

Gift tags and letters in Japan are often written with brush and ink, and this custom was revolutionized in 1970s with the introduction of the brush pen, making doing calligraphy as easy as writing with a pen. In an ever-increasing number of colors, brush pens are a popular art tool outside of Japan. Now available in 24 different colors that can be blended to expands the range of artistic expression. Photo: Pentel Co., Ltd.

Felt-Tip Pen

The world’s first fiber-tipped, water-based ink pen was invented in 1963. Made of acrylic fibers, the pen tip provided a writing experience that combined the qualities of both pen and brush. The pen became a sensation in the U.S. when it was handed to then-President Johnson and was later brought onboard a NASA spacecraft. This water-based ink pen is a bestseller, loved around the world. Photo: Pentel Co., Ltd.

Mark+

With the Mark+, simply rotate the tip to switch between two different colors with the same pen. This convenient feature is especially handy for categorizing by color, highlighting specific sections, or marking tasks completed to help manage your schedule. Photos: KOKUYO Co., Ltd.

Clickbright

The ink in these click-type fluorescent pens is formulated to readily absorb moisture from the air and keep the ink from drying out even when the pen is left uncapped. Photo: ZEBRA CO., LTD.