Japan 2024: Part 5, Fountain Pen Inks in Osaka & Ogaki's Kawasaki Bunguten

[@thewetpen]

Hi Everyone! A quick update on my inks: I had been planning on releasing more bottles a couple of weeks ago, but unfortunately, even though I ordered new dyes before I left for SC in late July, my dye-supplier failed to actually ship them. Finally, on Monday I broke down and just ordered them from another supplier, and they should be here shortly. So, expect an announcement about my inks with my next video. Not adding any new inks this time... just making more available for those who didn't get them before they sold out last time.

[@llchapman1234]

Thank you!

[@619to253]

I can't wait for new colors. I love Deception Pass and Blackberry. Rachelle in Seattle

[@thewetpen]

@@619to253 I'll be working on them! 🙂

[@tbayless8324]

You ran out before I could order. Your inks are popular.

[@thewetpen]

@@tbayless8324 If you sign up for email notifications on the site, I'll send out those emails a few hours before the video announcement goes up, so you're more likely to get a shot at them before they sell out 🙂

[@柳瀬久美子-r2o]

Thank you so much for visiting our store in Ogaki, Gifu. We are so excited to watch your video. We hope to see you again. Thank you so much for!! Kawasaki

[@thewetpen]

The pleasure was all mine! Thank you for producing such wonderful inks and running a shop with such style!

[@senior_ranger]

My knees buckled when I saw that broad dip pen. I need one of those!!!!

[@thewetpen]

I'm a BIG fan of that pen! I'm still getting used to writing with that nib, and deciding whether I want to risk smoothing it a bit, but the line that it puts down is wonderful

[@llchapman1234]

Me, too!

[@MarcusCan]

Same here! Damn it is gorgeous

[@takeusaway3]

Oh my goodness! Kawasaki Bunguten is one of my favorite Japanese stationery shops. I used to live in Nagoya, and it was such a fun trip up and the owner is so so so kind and just a cool dude. So happy to see it getting some love!

[@thewetpen]

I didn't have much of a chance to chat with him, unfortunately, but he was very friendly and willing to pose for photos :-) Such a cool place!

[@donaldgoerig6171]

I really love your Japanese centered videos.... beautiful job and wish I was there on the same journey!

[@SkyeAten]

Wow... what a well edited video. I just clicked to see some nice pens and inks, but found myself on a journey with you to shops, and learning a bit about the ink scene here haha. It also occurred to me what a privilege it is to have money for a hobby and buy all the items one wants. Before I came to Japan, even affording internet was hard, let a lone a whole hobby such as this (well, hobby, collection, work-related tools or which ever, still costs a lot).

[@thewetpen]

Thanks! I'm definitely lucky to be able to take trips like this... in large part because of this KZbin channel and support from the community here (and having some business in Japan to get me there to begin with). Maybe in a few more years, I'll be able to buy exclusive pens instead of just bottles of inks 🙂

[@buck-pucker]

Wow, I wasn't terribly interested in the Hanabi Studio's pen until you did the turning-close up video. Stunning. Got a bottle of Rainier Blue and enjoying it. Your videos are always so comforting and draw up good memories of Japan.

[@thewetpen]

Thanks! The Hana-bi pen is one that I enjoy a lot more on close inspection than overall impression, too... and it's very nice to write with.

[@ErinDeCoste]

That dip pen wow! I could stare at it all day and congrats at finding a calligraphy nib! Glasswork is a fascinating art. The vase bottles are very cool and great color finds this video.

[@assistinsleep7424]

Glad to see another video! My son and I made it through the 2023 inkvent calendar and will start the 2022 at bedtime tonight. Fantastic channel.

[@thewetpen]

Oh, nice! Glad you're enjoying the Inkvent videos :-) I need to go back and watch them to start preparing for this winter... in case I decide to do it again after all. Every year I swear that it's my last time.

[@assistinsleep7424]

@@thewetpen We're going to buy our own this year and I'll open them along with your videos, if you do them. He's 3 and is so excited when he sees the ink swabbed on the paper 😅 his favorite color is red and it's a bit harder to get him to sleep when he sees that color come out! I heard from Goulet that Colorverse is going to do their own Inkvent calendar this year. I think we will buy the Diamine as the Colorverse will be more expensive.

[@llchapman1234]

I love that this is a shared hobby and that he's been bitten by the fountain pen bug early 😁

[@DDawg1144]

Dude. You are making the best fountain pen related videos on KZbin. These are so well made and relaxing. You have a gift, please keep making them. As someone who adores Japanese pens/inks, and can't wait to visit Japan myself, this is the next best thing.

[@thewetpen]

Thanks :-) The next video in this series will probably be the last one for a while, but I'm sure I'll go back to Japan someday.

[@DDawg1144]

@@thewetpen I would love to see your production intersect with the world of urushi pens

[@thewetpen]

@@DDawg1144 I would love to have the money to buy a bunch of urushi pens :-)

[@DDawg1144]

@@thewetpen I could potentially send you a few to review if you're into that idea.

[@thewetpen]

@@DDawg1144 That is a very generous offer, thank you 🙂 I think that it will make more sense for me to make videos about them over the next few years as I start learning more about urushi and amassing a collection.

[@justnik8727]

Thank you for uploading this video. It’s like a form of meditation.

[@thewetpen]

:-) Glad you enjoyed it!

[@philnaunton7181]

Simply marvelous. Thanks again for all your work and thoroughness.

[@thewetpen]

Thanks Phil 🙂

[@Jay-ql4gp]

The Kawasaki Stationary shop was gorgeous! And you chose the perfect music for it!

[@NoDecaf7]

Wow you really nailed it with the thumbnail! Beautiful!

[@thewetpen]

Thanks 🙂 I've been working on this video off and on for weeks, but just shot that thumbnail this morning! Hope you enjoy the video!

[@NoDecaf7]

​Great as always! I really enjoy your Japanese pen shop series, the way you tell the story of your trip is so engaging! I love the Teranishi inks and have quite a few in my slowly growing collection, I'll admit I started collecting them for the box art but I have them in my regular rotation.

[@ThePenofaReadyWriterVarney]

Very nice inks and nice touch on Ludwig Van Beethoven Moonlight Sonata 3rd Movement!

[@MariaRosseau]

I especially love this series of videos. ❤

[@thewetpen]

Thanks Maria! Hope you're enjoying the SF Pen Show!

[@MariaRosseau]

@@thewetpen Loving it! Funnily enough I brought a bottle of your ink with me to ink up a new pen... instead of using the several bottles I purchased. 😅🤣

[@Rielcool]

Your videos are in and of themselves works of art Matthew! Thank you for this. I enjoy each one more than the last. Always looking forward to the next installment and your next batch of ink releases! Keep up the fantastic work!

[@thewetpen]

Thank you 🙂

[@PenLobster]

The Sakon Shima - and all of its boxes - is absolutely stunning.

[@thewetpen]

Isn't it? When I get better at ink making, I'm going to start triple boxing my inks, too 🙂

[@inkedhappiness]

another wow, wow, wow video :) thank you :)

[@thewetpen]

Thank you my friend! 🙂

[@bunroku_channel]

I love your videos. very beautiful.

[@thewetpen]

Thank you! I just watched your video about the Platinum 3776 Higo ZoGan and enjoyed it very much. That's another pen that I'll have to add to my shopping list, now 🙂

[@bunroku_channel]

@@thewetpen I'm glad you enjoyed watching my video! Thank you!

[@AndrewWertheimer]

Another fantastic video, Mathew. Amazing Kawasaki ink. Never heard of Ogaki before. That cafe upstairs seems cool too. I love kissaten. Love the ink you made too. So classy bottles and boxes too. Makes it so fun to use. Have a good autumn.

[@thewetpen]

Thanks Andrew :-) Kawasaki is definitely worth a visit if you're in the Nagoya area. When I was in the cafe, one of the other patrons was also an ink maker, but he didn't speak English, so we didn't chat much after we were introduced by the proprietor... but I thought it was really cool to be in a place with so many people who are interested in ink.

[@tbayless8324]

I could watch these videos forever-so calm, so soothing, you must like purple, all of a sudden I am on a purple kick too. I use to hate the color purple until I got into fountain pens. I don't have hardly any so I just ordered some. I still would love to be packed away in one of your suitcases to pick out Japanese pens, inks, paper. I am sure you know how lucky you are to get to go over there. Not sure I'll ever reach there. Thanks for the videos, Matthew.

[@thewetpen]

I do like purple, I suppose... though I think that it's just one of the colors that isn't too far from blue :-) I'm very lucky to be able to go to Japan like this... but it's also a lot easier than you might think. From the west coast, it's cheaper to go to Japan for a couple weeks than, say... Chicago or Austin... because even though the flight is a bit more expensive, once you get there, hotels and food are wonderfully inexpensive.

[@tbayless8324]

@@thewetpen I love blue, but I really love sheen and shimmer. Darker the inks the better, I do not care for pale inks. and I am in the hot state of Texas. Thanks for sharing the information on Japan. I can't speak it or read it. At least you have an interpreter with you. And our phones help a little.

[@ThePaulfranklee]

Awesome video again, love the bottles from Kawasaki Bunguten. Definitely on the list for my next trip. And that pen is just gorgeous!

[@thewetpen]

Thanks Paul! Kawasaki was wonderful... I'd recommend it to anyone 🙂

[@parthshah2527]

Too amazing video.

[@thewetpen]

@@parthshah2527 Thanks :-)

[@hopemurray5834]

Thank you so much for these wonderful films! A step up for sure from the normal KZbin video. I have a work colleague going to Japan in December and I'm making her a list of inks too get for me based off of your trip! 😊

[@thewetpen]

Thank you 🙂 I always like to think of myself as a film-maker rather than a "content" creator! Good luck with the inks!

[@topazhk]

Thanks so much for your travelogue on your ink odyssey, trying to select only a couple of inks in each location that you may not have in your collection. (I wonder how many of us are also doing this very thing 😂) Thanks for taking us all along for the journey. It’s like watching a travel cooking TV programme but with ink as the food.

[@thewetpen]

The pleasure is all mine :-) I am hoping to continue the series in other locations around the world.

[@AudTalksPens]

Your videos are absolutely fantastic! I enjoy both the ink reviews and the travel videos and hope to buy some of your ink soon :)

[@thewetpen]

Thank you! Glad you're enjoying them :-)

[@ratgerms138]

That red orange looks real nice …. Love the videos , you definitely got me to pick up some Iroful notebooks

[@thewetpen]

I really like Iroful for some inks. It's like Tomoe River in that with some inks, you get wonderful color and properties, but with others, you get a faded, dusty look.

[@TheHokkaidogaijin]

Your videos are always a treat Thank you

[@thewetpen]

Thanks! Glad you're still enjoying them 🙂

[@karidru5272]

Wow, every last one of these is marvelous. Those sheens are so good. And then I thought to myself "I might be interested in that pen..." and looked it up online and became somewhat less interested in that pen, lol.

[@thewetpen]

Yes... it's funny: if you look closely at the video, you can see the price for this pen was 27,500 yen... about $188 USD, today, although a month or two ago, it would have been $160. But on the Hana-bi website, it's $330! So, it really made a difference getting this one in Japan.

[@karidru5272]

@@thewetpen They have several things on that website that aren't as expensive that I like very much as well. Thanks for putting them on my radar.

[@drnimish333]

Hana-bi glass pen is beautiful.

[@thewetpen]

Thanks! I agree 🙂

[@GregJorgo]

Great vids! Thankyou!

[@thewetpen]

Thanks :-) Glad you enjoyed it!

[@kristiw.1823]

You got a Hanabi pen! I got to visit his studio, while Lucas made my pen in front of me. It was one of my favorite experiences while we were in Japan.

[@thewetpen]

Oh wow! I wasn't even thinking about buying glass pens when I went... next time I'll have to schedule a visit to the studio, too :-) That sounds incredible

[@kristiw.1823]

@@thewetpen He's fun to hang out with and you would do an amazing job filming or photographing his process. I was blown away that Lucas was so open to my husband and I just stopping by! All I had asked was where I could find one of his pens in Tokyo or Hakone. He was at the Stationery Fest in NY, earlier this month, which was a wonderful way for the U.S. market to get to know him.

[@thewetpen]

@@kristiw.1823 InkyRocks did a video about him a year or two ago, and her videos are always amazing. I'd love to make the same type of video, but I'll have to find some new ground to cover 🙂

[@kristiw.1823]

@@thewetpen That's how I learned about him. ☺

[@questionnableanswers2148]

I really liked the Iron blue ink and the box 😍. Really enjoyed the video, shots captured were stunning as well.

[@thewetpen]

Thank you :-) I agree... that Iron Blue is pretty wonderful!

[@GregJorgo]

Also, yes interested in your inks for sure.

[@chrisrap52]

Well done, as always. Amazing glass nib. Do you find some inks that don't work with glass nibs? The ink doesn't adhere to the glass and writes very dry. Other inks seem to love the glass.

[@thewetpen]

Thanks! Yes, I agree that some inks just don't do well with glass pens. Some end up too dry (Troublemaker inks, for example, don't seem to want to leave the nib) and others just gush off, even if they seem to work normally in a fountain pen.

[@paulmchugh1430]

I like the shading of these inks. Some are very surprising. I think Japan has some wonderful ink makers. It is a pity that they do not have they are not more accessible.

[@thewetpen]

They do have some wonderful ink makers! To be fair, I specifically chose inks on this trip (and for these videos) that are hard or impossible to get in the USA so that people could see things that they wouldn't be able to otherwise... and a lot of them are available on the internet, too, for a price.

[@paulmchugh1430]

@@thewetpen still on the hunt for the vase bottle 😞

[@llchapman1234]

Those sheening inks are lovely. Can't wait to get my hands on some of your sheening inks, in particular The Gas Works one 😊

[@Guairenito]

The ink from that vase type bottle looks very nice, besides the very attractive design of the bottle itself

[@thewetpen]

Those old Sailor vase bottles are great :-) They're getting harder and harder to find... even in Japan.

[@Guairenito]

@@thewetpen they should make them at least for some special edition inks, anniversary inks and stuff like that.

[@thewetpen]

@@Guairenito Agreed!

[@bylolojkt]

The Hanabi glass pen❤❤❤❤❤

[@ilikepens]

I’ve been wanting one of those glass pens with a stub nib for years as well. I’m at the San Francisco pen show right now and that is on my list of things to look out for.

[@thewetpen]

Aaargh! I wish I'd been able to go to the SanFran show... but I just have too much going on here. Next time we can hang out for a bit, I hope. Hope you enjoy the show and find some good stuff 🙂

[@davidbyers7246]

Thanks Matthew, another wonderful video. I love the editing and overall presentation of your video, as well as the inks you show. Plus, that Glass dip pen with the italic nib looks incredible, I must get one! One other thing, whenever I see your videos from Japan, I am always a bit frustrated by the constant mask wearing of most of the people in Japan. This is probably the biggest put off to me ever visiting the country. Do they expect you to be wearing a mask?

[@thewetpen]

Last year when I visited, masks were still mandatory indoors. This year, they were not necessary, and most foreigners didn't wear them. but Japan has such a culture of conformity, nobody wants to be the first person to stop wearing them, so they just persist. But of course, even before Covid, masks were pretty common in Japan... they're somewhat germophobic. I'd say that about half of the time on this trip I wore a mask, just to be polite, since it doesn't bother me at all. About half the time I just forgot.

[@WillMaiJunior]

Interested in this stuff!

[@juicylouisey]

Glad you didn’t show the way the swirls were put into the glass pen. Somethings I like kept in the dark about. I think it would “yuk my yum”. I think that’s what the hip cats say these days.

[@MarcusCan]

The ink at 11:15 can be found in any Kawasaki stationary or only in ogaki?

[@thewetpen]

Only at "Kawasaki Bunguten" in Ogaki. The shop is not a chain; there's only one location (though Kawasaki is a popular name in Japan, so there may be other shops that share the name).

[@MarcusCan]

@@thewetpen that's why I asked! If I search on Google Kawasaki stationary I find 10ish store in all Japan. Thank you!

[@thewetpen]

Turns out that "Color Words" is better translated as "Color Stories", which makes a lot more sense!

[@Souparno_Biswas]

Friend, you ought to work on some Indian Extra Fine Daytone inks. They are extremely colourful and appear good and cheap. Only your reviews and complete the same. It will be the final verdict if I should buy it or not.

[@thewetpen]

@@Souparno_Biswas I'll see what I can do 🙂

[@Souparno_Biswas]

@@thewetpen Eagerly waiting for the review!!!

[@Sherquant]

Mentioning the RRP (price) or the price you bought would useful. Thank you for the trip to another world of inks.

[@fjschnitzer1]

Great video. Is it hard to travel to Japan without knowing how to speak Japanese. How about going to a pen shop, trying to buy a pen and communicating with the sales people. Tq.

[@thewetpen]

I was lucky this time in that my friend Chris speaks a bit of Japanese, but for the most part, no... it's not too difficult to get around in Japan. In the cities, most people have a smattering of English... at least enough to get the basics accomplished along with some pointing at things, but it's not uncommon for people to speak English proficiently, if reluctantly. People with excellent English skills do pop up in random places, too. In Tokyo, one of the best English speakers that I met worked behind the counter of a 7-11 convenience store. Maybe it was a Family Mart. Outside of the big cities, the Google Translate app works wonders. It can read signs with the camera, and translate spoken conversations in real time. It takes a little ingenuity, but it's not hard. Needless to say, you'd get much better in-depth conversations and interactions and less reluctance on their part to engage if you try to speak Japanese.

[@fjschnitzer1]

​​@@thewetpen Thank you for the prompt reply. Your video are so inspirational. Makes me fall in love with Japan. I think i will enroll to japanese class for beginers here where I lives. My wish list is Matsuya Pen Hospital Nagasaki. Any recommendations for pen shop in Osaka? Thank you for the great video.

[@thewetpen]

@@fjschnitzer1 Most of my energy went into looking for shops that have lots of interesting inks... I mostly ignored pens because there are TONS of pen shops (and good ones!) all over Japan... and I can't afford to buy another expensive pen in every city I visit 🙂 But in Osaka, the Hankyu has good pens and ink, Pelle Penna and Giftionery Delta, Morita Pens, and of course, the Nagasawa, all have good pens, too. But there are tons.

[@fjschnitzer1]

@@thewetpen Thank you

[@richardharker2775]

So totally different to what I see here in Australia. I would need a heavy wallet and a bigger suitcase. My wants always over rides my needs.

[@coolestinternetperson]

Too much exhibition get to the pens.

[@HomerIncognito]

Be careful when working with glass, small glass particles are extremely dangerous. Wet your micromesh and wear at least some respirator.

[@thewetpen]

Ahh, that's a good reminder... thanks! I'm not sure that I'll actually do anything to that tip... I might just see if it wears down with use. For the moment, I'm too worried about ruining it.