Eboya Tanpen Red Fountain Pen

Eboya Tanpen Red Fountain Pen

The Eboya Tanpen Red Fountain Pen brings the warmth of Japanese ebonite to a compact, lightweight and remarkably comfortable format. When closed, it fits in the palm of your hand; with the cap posted on the back of the barrel, it reaches a comfortable length for natural writing. Its warm red color and gold-tone clip give it a cheerful character inspired by colored pencils and crayons.

Ideal for anyone looking for a handcrafted pocket fountain pen that is easy to carry alongside a planner and designed for everyday writing.

A compact fountain pen with the spirit of a colored pencil

The name Tanpen means “short pen” and accurately describes the concept behind this model. Eboya designed 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 attached securely to a notebook, pocket or pen case.

The Tanpen collection is available in a palette of ten colors inspired by crayons. This version features a warm red tone that allows the characteristic texture of the ebonite to remain visible beneath its 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 is easy to control and 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 resulting from the material and its handcrafted production process may be visible.

Pocket size and comfortable writing

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, providing a more comfortable length for longer writing sessions. Posting the cap transforms a very small pen for carrying into a well-balanced fountain pen for writing.

Its compact dimensions make it a practical companion 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 suit the compact body and allow precise writing in planners, small grids and characters with numerous strokes. The feed and internal section are made from ABS to provide a stable ink flow within this particularly compact structure.

Three nib widths are available: F fine, suitable for small handwriting and detailed notes; MF medium fine, a balanced option for everyday use; and M medium, intended for writers who prefer a broader and more visible line. Availability may vary, so the desired nib width should be selected before adding the pen to the cart.

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 preserves its pocket-sized proportions and makes full use of the available internal space without altering the compact silhouette that defines the model.

The pen includes an empty short cartridge and a syringe for using bottled ink. This means you are not limited to the colors available in cartridges: the supplied cartridge can be filled with a compatible fountain pen ink and reused when required. 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 Red

The supplied empty cartridge provides the freedom to choose a bottled ink that complements the color of the ebonite. The Teranishi Modern Red Taisho Roman Guitar Fountain Pen Ink creates a particularly harmonious pairing, extending the red character of the Tanpen onto the page. As indicated by Eboya, pigmented and permanent inks should be avoided.

For handwritten letters or personal messages, the fountain pen can also be paired with the MIDORI Bouquet Red 460 Letter Set. Its red floral details create a coordinated composition and provide an elegant setting for the distinctive character of handwriting produced with a fountain pen.

Package contents

The set includes the Eboya Tanpen Red with the selected 14K gold 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: Red.

Body material: Japanese ebonite.

Nib: Size 5 Bock nib in 14K gold.

Available nib widths: F fine, MF medium fine and M medium.

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 reveals 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.

“It fits in the palm of your hand while preserving the full experience of ebonite made in Tokyo.”