In early March, a group of pen enthusiasts got together in Tokyo and spent hours discussing and obsessing over writing instruments. Here are a few pens spotted at this event. Iwase Seisakusho Kinsei (謹製) pens with Kubo Kohei (久保幸平) nibs: Smaller model with three-slit music nib: Flat top model, with Waterman Edson nib: Pelikan pens with raden decorations by Iwase Seisakusho: Pilot 80th anniversary Shijin (四神): Pilot Super Ultra 500:

Storied stationery retailer and bookstore Maruzen is celebrating their 150th anniversary this year. To commemorate this occasion, Maruzen produced three limited edition pens: A Sailor KOP in micarta (Voyage), a yellow Pilot based on Custom 912 (Lemon), and the subject of this post: Athena the Pen. The name, Athena, may be familiar to fountain pen enthusiasts. Maruzen has a popular series of inks carrying this label, including the sought-after Eternal Blue, and even more exotic ones sold only once a year, at their annual pen fair.

Long37, the mastermind behind Chinese pen maker PenBBS and owner of its namesake discussion forum, has been on a roll lately. Last autumn, PenBBS released the double-ended 469 and 456 vacuum filler in rapid succession, followed by the somewhat controversial 355 “bulkfiller” just before year-end. This year has already seen two new models: The 471 pocket pen, and the subject of this post: Model 380. In late December, PenBBS member Beini posted a teaser image on Instagram.