Eboya Tanpen Light Green Fountain Pen
The Eboya Tanpen Light Green Fountain Pen combines the warmth of Japanese ebonite with a fresh light green finish and a compact design created for everyday writing. It fits in the palm of the hand when closed and reaches a comfortable writing length when the cap is posted on the back of the barrel. The contrast between the green ebonite and gold-tone clip reinforces its cheerful appearance inspired by colored pencils and crayons.
Ideal for anyone looking for a lightweight handcrafted pocket fountain pen that can be carried alongside a planner, journal or travel notebook.
A compact fountain pen inspired by colored pencils
The name Tanpen means “short pen” and summarizes the concept behind this model. Eboya created a rounded, uncomplicated fountain pen whose appearance recalls a wax crayon. Its cylindrical silhouette avoids unnecessary ornamentation, while the gold-tone clip with its rounded tip allows the pen to be secured to a notebook, pocket or pen case.
The Tanpen family features a playful palette inspired by crayon colors. This Light Green version introduces a fresh, luminous shade reminiscent of young leaves and bamboo shoots. Subtle characteristics of the ebonite remain visible beneath its carefully polished surface.
Lightweight Japanese ebonite with a warm touch
The body is made from ebonite produced by Nikko Ebonite Manufacturing in Tokyo. Created by vulcanizing rubber, this material has historically been used for writing instruments because of its lightness, durability and warm feel. Unlike metal, ebonite quickly adapts to the temperature of the hand and provides a natural, comfortable sensation while writing.
With a barrel diameter of 12 mm and a weight of approximately 11 g, the Tanpen adds very little weight to a notebook or pen case. Its rounded body sits comfortably in the hand and encourages relaxed writing. Each piece is carefully machined and polished, so subtle variations in color or texture resulting from the material and its handcrafted production process may be visible.
Pocket size with comfortable writing proportions
The Eboya Tanpen is produced in a single size. It measures 97 mm when closed and reaches 131 mm when the cap is posted on the back of the barrel. This transformation makes it possible to carry a remarkably compact pen while providing a more comfortable length when it is time to write.
Its compact dimensions make it particularly practical for planners, journals, travel notebooks and personal organization systems. It can be stored in small pen cases or secured with its clip without taking up the space of a conventional fountain pen. Although designed for everyday portability, it retains the materials and finishing associated with Eboya’s handcrafted writing instruments.
14K gold nib
The Tanpen is fitted with a size 5 Bock nib made from 14K gold. Its proportions maintain the visual balance of the compact body and allow precise writing in planners, small grids and other limited spaces. The feed and internal section are made from ABS to provide a stable ink flow within the pen’s particularly small structure.
Short-cartridge filling system
Because of the limited length of the barrel, the Eboya Tanpen exclusively uses short international cartridges in the European style. It is not compatible with long cartridges or converters. This system makes efficient use of the available internal space while preserving the pocket-sized silhouette that defines the model.
The fountain pen includes an empty short cartridge and a syringe for using bottled ink. This means the user is not limited to the colors available in cartridges and can fill the supplied container with a compatible fountain pen ink. Refilling should be carried out on a protected surface with the cartridge removed from the pen.
How to refill the empty cartridge
1. Place the tip of the syringe in the ink bottle and slowly draw up the required amount of ink.
2. Insert the syringe into the supplied empty short cartridge and fill it without reaching the very top, helping to prevent spills.
3. Remove the syringe, wipe the outside of the cartridge and press it firmly onto the fountain pen’s cartridge nipple until it is correctly seated.
Pigmented and permanent inks must not be used with this model. Eboya recommends conventional inks formulated for fountain pens and advises cleaning the cartridge and section before changing colors. The syringe should be rinsed with water after every refill and stored safely until its next use.
Ink and paper to complement the Tanpen Light Green
The supplied empty cartridge provides the freedom to choose a bottled ink that complements the light green ebonite. The Pilot Iroshizuku Chiku rin 50 ml Fountain Pen Ink creates a particularly natural pairing with its fresh yellow-green color inspired by Japanese bamboo forests. Its luminous appearance extends the character of the Tanpen Light Green onto the page.
To appreciate the ink’s saturation and tonal variation, the pen can be paired with the Nagasawa Kobe INK Monogatari × Graphilo A5 Grid Notebook. Graphilo paper reveals shading and line definition with remarkable clarity, while its subtle 4 mm grid provides practical guidance for notes, journaling, planning and ink testing.
Package contents
The set includes the Eboya Tanpen Light Green fitted with its 14K gold Bock nib, one empty short international cartridge and a syringe for filling it with bottled ink. Documentation covering the use and care of the fountain pen is also included.
Eboya supplies this fountain pen to Inktraveler in a Japanese paulownia wood box, used as a premium presentation in place of the standard cardboard packaging. Inktraveler also includes a complimentary ink bottle so that the supplied refilling system can be used immediately. Photographs are for reference only, and the color or subtle characteristics of the ebonite may vary slightly from the product received.
Technical specifications
Model: Eboya Tanpen.
Color: Light Green.
Body material: Japanese ebonite.
Nib: Size 5 Bock nib in 14K gold.
Filling system: Short international cartridge, European standard.
Compatibility: Not compatible with long cartridges or converters.
Closed length: 97 mm.
Length with the cap posted: 131 mm.
Barrel diameter: 12 mm.
Weight: Approximately 11 g.
Section and feed material: ABS.
Made in: Tokyo, Japan.
Caring for ebonite
Avoid exposing the pen to direct sunlight, high temperatures or intense humidity for prolonged periods. When it is not in use, store it clean and dry inside its case. To preserve the ebonite finish, gently wipe it with a clean, dry cloth without using abrasive products or solvents.
Before storing the fountain pen for an extended period, remove the cartridge and rinse the section with water at room temperature. Do not force the cap or cartridge when fitting them. Because ebonite is an artisanal material, slight variations in color or texture form part of the individual character of each pen and should not be considered defects.
Eboya’s history and philosophy
Eboya is the writing instrument brand of Nikko Ebonite Manufacturing, a Japanese company founded in 1952 and recognized as the country’s last manufacturer specializing in the production of ebonite. For decades, the company developed this material for several writing instrument makers, building technical knowledge that extends from mixing and vulcanizing the rubber to the final machining and polishing processes.
In 2009, the company began producing its own fountain pens under the Eboya name. Combining material production with the creation of the finished writing instrument allows each stage to be controlled within the same craft tradition. The Tanpen represents the more playful side of this philosophy: a small, lightweight and colorful pen that retains the Japanese ebonite, gold nib and hand-finished details characteristic of the brand.
“A fresh touch of color shaped from Japanese ebonite to accompany every page.”
