Eboya Ricchiku Akebono Dawn Red Medium Fountain Pen
The Eboya Ricchiku Akebono Dawn Red Medium Fountain Pen interprets the upright form of bamboo through a slender, clipless silhouette crafted from red and black marbled ebonite. Its 143 mm closed length and 15 mm diameter provide a balanced combination of presence and comfort, complemented by a 14K gold nib and an international filling system. It is particularly well suited to writers seeking a medium-sized Japanese fountain pen with handcrafted character and a distinctive visual identity.
Concept and Design
The name Ricchiku (立竹) literally means “standing bamboo” or “upright bamboo”. Its design expresses the beauty, strength and flexibility of a bamboo stalk growing towards the sky. The characteristic nodes distributed along the barrel and cap reproduce its natural structure, while the clipless construction preserves a continuous outline and leaves more of the ebonite surface visible.
The Akebono (曙) finish means “dawn”, “daybreak” or the moment when the first light begins to appear. The name describes the gradual transition from darkness to the beginning of a new day, an image particularly well suited to this combination of deep red, burgundy and dark marbling. The red veins seem to emerge through the black like the first light spreading across the horizon. Depending on the illumination, subtle grey or slightly bluish tones may also become visible, adding further depth to the material.
The ebonite rod is formed through extrusion before being carefully shaped and polished in the workshop. As the curved surface and bamboo-inspired nodes are created, different sections of the marbled pattern are revealed. The distribution of the red and darker areas varies from one rod to another, ensuring that no two Ricchiku Akebono fountain pens are exactly alike.
Functionality and Filling System
The Ricchiku Akebono Dawn Red Medium is fitted with a 14K gold Bock No. 6 nib. Its proportions complement the Medium body and provide a firm, controlled writing experience. Ebonite offers a naturally warm and comfortable feel, while the 15 mm diameter provides a generous grip without reaching the larger dimensions of the Large version.
The pen accepts international-standard cartridges and converters, allowing the user to alternate between the convenience of cartridges and the broader range of colours available in bottled ink. Eboya specifically confirms compatibility with Pelikan cartridges and converters. Before changing inks, the section and filling system should be rinsed with water until all traces of the previous colour have been removed.
Package Contents
• Eboya Ricchiku Akebono Dawn Red Medium fountain pen
• Standard international converter
• Ink cartridge (1 piece)
• Paulownia wood presentation box (for Inktraveler, Eboya replaces the standard cardboard box with this exclusive premium case)
• Warranty
(Photographs are for reference only. The distribution and intensity of the red, burgundy and darker areas may differ from the pen shown because every ebonite body has its own individual pattern.)
Technical Specifications
- Brand: Eboya
- Model: Ricchiku
- Finish: Akebono Dawn Red
- Size: Medium
- Body and cap material: original marbled ebonite by Nikko Ebonite Manufacturing
- Colour: marbled red and burgundy with darker areas
- Closed length: 143 mm
- Barrel diameter: 15 mm
- Cap diameter: 15 mm
- Nib: 14K gold Bock No. 6
- Available nib widths: F, MF, M and B, subject to availability
- Filling system: international-standard cartridge or converter
- Design: clipless
- Made in Tokyo, Japan
Care and Maintenance
To preserve the colour and natural lustre of the ebonite, keep the pen away from direct sunlight and humidity, store it in a dark place and occasionally wipe its surface with a soft cloth. If the pen will not be used for an extended period, remove the cartridge or converter and flush the filling system with water. Eboya specifically advises against using pigment inks in its fountain pens.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Akebono mean?
Akebono (曙) means “dawn” or “daybreak” and describes the moment when darkness begins to give way to the first light of the day. On this pen, the red marbling emerging through the darker areas evokes that gradual transition.
How does the Ricchiku Medium differ from the Large?
The Medium measures 143 mm when closed and has a diameter of 15 mm. The Large measures 153 mm with a 16.5 mm diameter. The Medium retains a generous grip while offering more compact and versatile proportions for everyday use.
Which nib widths are available?
The 14K gold Bock No. 6 nib is available in F, MF, M and B, subject to availability. These options range from a fine, precise line to a broader and more expressive stroke.
Which filling system does it use?
It uses international-standard cartridges and converters. The package prepared for this fountain pen includes one converter and one ink cartridge.
Do all Ricchiku Akebono fountain pens have the same pattern?
No. The position and proportion of the red, burgundy and darker areas vary in every ebonite rod, giving each finished pen an individual appearance.
Why does the Ricchiku not have a clip?
The clipless construction is part of the original design. It preserves the continuous bamboo-inspired silhouette and leaves a larger surface of marbled ebonite visible.
Eboya History and Philosophy
Eboya is the writing instrument brand of Nikko Ebonite Manufacturing, founded in Tokyo in 1952 and recognised as Japan’s only ebonite manufacturer. Its expertise covers the entire journey of the material, from combining natural rubber and sulphur to forming the rods, polishing the pen body and completing the final nib inspection.
In 2008, Nikko Ebonite successfully developed its own coloured and marbled ebonite. One year later, it began selling original fountain pens under the Eboya identity. The Ricchiku expresses this relationship between industrial knowledge and craftsmanship particularly well: the company that produces the ebonite also transforms it into a nature-inspired fountain pen carefully completed in its Tokyo workshop.
“Like bamboo receiving the first light of dawn, every written word announces the possibility of a new beginning.”
