Eboya Houga Kougetsu Yellow Small Fountain Pen
The Eboya Houga Kougetsu Yellow Small Fountain Pen combines the warm feel of Japanese ebonite with yellow marbling on a black base and a compact, clipless cigar silhouette. Its 128 mm closed length and 14K gold nib create a manageable, well-proportioned writing instrument. It is intended for writers who want distinctive Tokyo craftsmanship in a size suited to regular use.
Concept and design
Houga is written 萌芽, a Japanese word associated with a sprout, germination and something beginning to emerge. Eboya chose the name in the hope that its fountain pens would accompany the arrival of new ideas. That thought is expressed through a calm cigar shape with softly rounded ends, uninterrupted lines and a deliberately clipless design.
Kougetsu (江月) describes the sight of the moon reflected on the surface of the water. Eboya translates that scene into yellow marbling that appears and recedes through black ebonite across the barrel and cap. The pattern runs through the material itself and changes in every rod, ensuring that no two pens share exactly the same distribution of colour.
The Small size
The Houga Small measures 128 mm when closed, with a 12.4 mm diameter across both barrel and cap. It is the most compact version of this silhouette and suits writers who prefer a fountain pen with contained proportions that is easy to handle. The absence of a clip preserves its uninterrupted profile and reinforces the simplicity of the design.
Filling system
The fountain pen accepts standard international cartridges and converters. A cartridge provides a quick and convenient refill, while the converter allows the use of bottled ink and makes exploring different colours straightforward. This familiar system is practical for everyday writing as well as for users who enjoy changing inks regularly.
Package contents
• Eboya Houga Kougetsu Yellow Small Fountain Pen
• Standard international converter
• Ink cartridge (1 unit)
• Paulownia wood case specially prepared for Inktraveler
• Warranty
(Product photographs are for guidance. The distribution and intensity of the marbling may vary from the pen shown because every ebonite body has its own pattern.)
Technical specifications
- Brand: Eboya
- Manufacturer: Nikko Ebonite Manufacturing
- Model: Houga Small
- Finish and colour: Kougetsu Yellow, yellow marbling on black
- Barrel and cap material: marbled Japanese ebonite
- Design: clipless cigar shape
- Closed length: 128 mm
- Barrel diameter: 12.4 mm
- Cap diameter: 12.4 mm
- Nib: Bock number 5 in 14K gold
- Filling system: standard international cartridge or converter
- Made and hand-polished in Tokyo, Japan
Caring for ebonite
Avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, high temperatures or intense humidity. When the pen is not in use, keep it clean and dry in a dark place, preferably inside its case. A gentle wipe with a clean, dry cloth is sufficient for routine exterior care; abrasive products and solvents should not be used.
Before storing the fountain pen for a prolonged period, remove the cartridge or converter and flush the section and feed with water. A thorough cleaning is also advisable before changing ink. Eboya expressly states that pigment inks must not be used in its fountain pens.
Frequently asked questions
What does Kougetsu mean?
Kougetsu (江月) describes the sight of the moon reflected on the surface of the water. The yellow-on-black marbling translates that image into ebonite.
Do all Houga Kougetsu pens have the same pattern?
No. The direction, density and distribution of the marbling vary in every ebonite rod. Each fountain pen is visually individual and may show natural differences from the photographs.
Who is the Houga Small best suited to?
Writers who prefer a compact, manageable and clipless fountain pen, or who want to experience Japanese ebonite in a contained size for regular writing.
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 active ebonite manufacturer. Its expertise covers the preparation and vulcanisation of the material, the development of marbled rods, precision turning and final hand polishing.
In Kougetsu, the yellow and black areas are distributed within the ebonite rather than applied as a surface decoration. Turning reveals a different pattern in every barrel, while careful hand polishing brings out the material's characteristic lustre. This combination of technical knowledge and hand finishing makes natural colour variation an essential part of each individual pen.
“As the moon changes upon the water, every idea finds a different shape when it becomes a line.”
