Digital Capless

Meanwhile (::1::, ::2::), what is Pilot doing besides raising prices at a spectacular pace?

The basic Pilot Capless introduced in 1998—that is, the FC model—used to cost JPY 10,000 (plus tax) and came with a steel nib, available only in F or M, with no other options. Its distribution outside Japan was also very limited.

So, how has this model changed?

Rehashing the basic Capless--JPY 16000, black trim, steel nib.

The price has increased by 60%, to JPY 16,000, which is actually not that bad compared with many other models in the Pilot lineup. Pilot has also refreshed its appearance and given it an additional name: "Digital Tech–Simple and Smart." A digital fountain pen? Ah, the genius of marketing strikes again...

These analog "digital techies" now feature black trim and matte finishes. They are available in four colors—copper, green, ash blue, and silver—plus a limited edition in purple.

The five "digital" Capless.

The mismatch between the trim and the nib, however, remains. For the first time in the history of the Capless, the steel nib is no longer gold-colored. Yet instead of making it black to match the trim, Pilot simply left it silver. In Japan, in fact, black Capless nibs are rare and generally reserved for special editions. This leaves an obvious question: which nib color would actually best complement the black trim?

More importantly, however, there are other questions:
– Is the new styling enough to justify a 60% price increase?
– Can this pen still compete with the Chinese copies of the Capless?

The market will have the final say.

Sailor “Gold from the Swiss Bank”, burgundy – Sailor Red

Bruno Taut
July 4th, 2026
etiquetas: Pilot, Capless, mercado

The Spanish Ôhashidô

Now that the story is over, it might be time to tell a few stories.

In December 2024, Mr. Yûichi Uehara brought to an end the activities of Ôhashidô, the company founded in 1965 by his father, Eichi Uehara. Yûichi had taken over the business in 2010, and his marketing strategy was, in essence, that of the travelling salesman. He attended all kinds of fairs and sales events, often in department stores and large stationery shops, where he sold his pens directly to the final customer.

Mr. Uehara at Mitsukoshi Nihombashi in 2017.

There were a couple of exceptions to this direct-sales model. The first involved a limited number of leftover pens from the editions presented at Maruzen's “Fountain Pens of the World” event each spring. These were small batches—ten or fifteen units—to be sold during the event, and any unsold pens remained on display at Maruzen afterwards.

The second case is far more relevant.

Inktraveler is a small online retailer that has been selling Japanese stationery from Spain since 2012.

In its search for products that would distinguish it from other retailers, it began a collaboration with Eboya in 2017 and with Ôhashidô in 2018. Eboya can be found overseas through a handful of shops, but the case of Ôhashidô was entirely different: Inktraveler was the only retailer to establish a commercial relationship with Mr. Uehara. For about six years, Ôhashidô pens were present both on Inktraveler's website and at the European pen shows the company attended.

Ôhashidô pens at Mitsukoshi Nihombashi in 2016.

Ôhashidô pens at Maruzen Nihombashi in 2022.

Then came December 2024, and Ôhashidô ceased operations. Inktraveler, however, still had a number of pens in stock. That situation did not last long, but this small Spanish retailer ended up selling some of the last new Ôhashidô pens available anywhere.

The very last one is the pen with which I am writing these lines: the Ôhashidô Kagero from the Four Seasons series, produced in collaboration with Mr. Tadeo Sato in 2023.

Mr. Uehara's traveling rokuro at Mitsukoshi Departement Store Nihombashi in 2012.

Ôhashidô is no more, and many of us miss Mr. Uehara and his travelling rokuro. Inktraveler, however, remains active and continues its search for lesser-known pen brands and other stationery products in Japan.

One never knows where the last pen of a discontinued brand will turn up. Sometimes, apparently, it is in Spain.

Ôhashidô Kagero – Pilot Iroshizuku Yama-budo

Bruno Taut
July 1st, 2026
labels: Ôhashidô, Inktraveler, España, Japón