Mitaka

Not much information is available about the Japanese pen Mitaka. A review on an eyedropper from the 1930s, by fellow blog author Jule Okami seems to be the basic reference. Therefore, this pen, even if apparently unremarkable and boring looking, has some interest.

The whole contents of the box--that includes the service Platinum cartridge.

The Platinum Honest 60 pen, already reported on these Chronicles, was the first Japanese pen in using ink cartridges and converters. As a result, these cartridges were the first available in the Japanese market and several companies used them as the standard. Such was the case of Mitaka. This boxed set included a service cartridge branded as Platinum Honest 60 with blue black ink.

Other than that, this pen is made of black plastic, with cap and nib being gold plated. The very rigid steel point is engraved with the company name

This Mitaka pen is quite similar to the cheapest of the Pilot Super series—the Super 50 with steel nib. However, this pen is an aerometric filler. Both cost the same—JPY 500.

On both pictures, on top, the Pilot Super 50. On bottom, the Mitaka.

These are the dimensions of the Mitaka pen:
Diameter: 11 mm.
Length capped: 135 mm.
Length open: 120 mm.
Length posted: 155 mm.
Weight (dry): 10.5 g.

Mitaka is also the name of a city in the prefecture of Tokyo. However, the company was based in the ward of Itabashi.

My thanks to Mr. Alberto Linares.

(Pilot Vpen – Sailor Tokiwa-matsu)

Bruno Taut
October 31st, 2011
[labels: Platinum, Mitaka, conversor, Pilot]