Tokyo Inklings

Two Tokyoites’ insider views on the Japanese fountain pen world!

Double Down

CY and Jacob discuss the comeback of a legendary nib, Sailor’s strategy, big updates in the paper world, and the challenges of maintaining consistency across batches and seasons.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

07-21
01:08:06

The Phantom Menace Podcast

CY and Jacob discuss tariffs, affordable stacked nibs, and oolong tea cans from a galaxy far far away.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

04-30
01:13:23

New Year, New Phase of the Hobby

CY, Jacob, and returning guest Khuê reminisce about the past year and make some predictions for 2025.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

01-02
01:16:11

Live from TIPS 2024

CY,  Jacob, and special guest Drew Brown report live from the 2024 Tokyo International Pen Show.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

11-12
01:07:49

Silence Is A Container

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).

09-29
01:09:11

A Concerning Lack of Sparkles

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).

09-08
01:03:40

Investigative Journaling

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).

05-19
59:58

Mean Girls Energy

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).

04-28
01:10:10

They're All Snobs

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).

03-17
01:14:16

Get Off My Lawn

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).

01-03
01:22:52

Not My Podcast

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).

09-18
01:05:09

Less Savage Than Bungujoshi

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).

04-14
01:00:08

Across the North Pole

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).

03-05
59:23

Polypolypoly

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).

01-29
57:14

A++ !

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).

01-02
01:15:41

Feels Good To Be a Noob!

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).

12-27
01:09:31

Champagne Pink Portable Printer

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).

12-04
01:03:49

Drunk Nagahara Fixed My Nib

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).

11-13
01:13:11

Late From the Tokyo International Pen Show 2022

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).

11-08
47:46

Wet and Creamy

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).

10-16
01:16:03

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