Eboya Houga Shinryou Dragon God Medium Fountain Pen
The Eboya Houga Shinryou Dragon God Medium Fountain Pen combines a classic cigar-shaped silhouette with the depth of beige, brown and almost black marbled ebonite. Its Medium size, 14K gold nib and warm material provide a balanced writing experience for regular use. It is ideal for anyone seeking Japanese craftsmanship, clean lines and an individual pattern that will not be repeated on another pen.
Concept and Design
The name Houga (萌芽) means “sprout”, “germination” or “something beginning to emerge”. Eboya chose this name with the wish that its fountain pens would encourage the birth of new ideas. The concept is expressed through a classic cigar or torpedo shape without a clip, featuring gently rounded ends and continuous lines that reflect Japanese minimalism.
The Shinryou (神龍) finish, whose name can be translated as “Dragon God” or “Divine Dragon”, refers to Shenlong, the spiritual dragon in Chinese mythology associated with clouds, storms and the rain on which agriculture depends. In Japanese, these characters are read as Shinryū, while Shinryou is the spelling used here to maintain consistency across the collection.
Eboya officially classifies Shinryou as a beige mixture, although the finished pen has a much deeper appearance. Toasted beige, brown and subtle copper-toned streaks emerge across almost black areas, recalling damp earth, polished stone or the scales of the legendary creature that inspired its name. The distribution of these colors varies in every ebonite rod, ensuring that no two pens look exactly alike.
The body is made from the original colored ebonite developed by Nikko Ebonite Manufacturing and carefully polished in Tokyo to reveal its natural luster. The discreet Eboya Made in Tokyo engraving confirms the origin of the pen and complements its restrained design without adding unnecessary ornamentation.
Functionality and Filling System
This particular pen is fitted with a 14K gold nib in Medium, suitable for writers who prefer a clear, fluid and moderately broad line. Its 15 mm diameter provides a stable grip, while the rounded profile and warm feel of ebonite support comfortable, controlled writing.
The filling system accepts both international standard cartridges and converters, compatible with brands such as Pelikan and Rotring (not compatible with Montblanc, Waterman or Caran d’Ache). Each body is individually hand-turned and polished in Tokyo. The careful assembly of its components, together with the color of the ebonite, results in a writing instrument of remarkable beauty and quality.
Package Contents
• Eboya Houga Shinryou Dragon God Medium fountain pen with Medium nib
• International standard converter
• Ink cartridge (1 unit)
• Paulownia wood box (Eboya upgrades the standard cardboard packaging for Inktraveler by replacing it with this wooden presentation case)
• Warranty
(Images are for reference only. The distribution, intensity and shape of the marbling may differ from the pen shown, as every ebonite body has its own individual pattern.)
Technical Specifications
- Brand: Eboya
- Model: Houga
- Finish: Shinryou Dragon God
- Size: Medium
- Barrel and cap material: original marbled ebonite by Nikko Ebonite Manufacturing
- Color: toasted beige and brown with copper-toned streaks across almost black areas
- Design: cigar or torpedo shape without a clip
- Closed length: 142 mm
- Barrel diameter: 15 mm
- Cap diameter: 15 mm
- Approximate weight: 24 g
- Nib: 14K gold
- Nib size: Medium
- Filling system: international standard cartridge or converter
- Handcrafted and finished in Tokyo, Japan
Available Colors in the Houga Series
The Houga series is produced in several original marbled ebonite colors. Availability may vary due to the handcrafted nature of production:
- Tanshin (丹心) – Red
- Nichibo (日暮) – Orange
- Kogetsu (江月) – Yellow
- Wakaba (若葉) – Yellow green
- Kunpuu (薫風) – Green
- Shinkai (深海) – Blue
- Shinryou (神龍) – Beige
- Black Ebonite – Solid black
Care and Maintenance
To preserve the color and natural luster of the ebonite, avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, heat and humidity. Store the pen in a dark place and occasionally wipe its surface with a soft cloth. If it will not be used for an extended period, remove the ink and flush the filling system thoroughly with water.
Before changing ink color or switching to an ink from another manufacturer, clean the section and feed thoroughly. Eboya specifically advises against using pigment inks in its fountain pens.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Houga mean?
Houga means “sprout” or “germination”. The name represents the beginning of something new and the emergence of fresh ideas.
What does Shinryou Dragon God mean?
Shinryou comes from the characters 神龍 and can be interpreted as “Dragon God” or “Divine Dragon”. Eboya uses the English expression Dragon God to identify this beige ebonite mixture.
Do all Houga Shinryou fountain pens have the same pattern?
No. The balance and distribution of beige, brown, copper-toned and dark areas vary in every body, giving each fountain pen its own individual appearance.
Which filling system does this fountain pen use?
It accepts international standard cartridges and converters. The presentation includes one standard converter and one ink cartridge.
Does the Eboya Houga have a clip?
No. The Houga deliberately omits the clip to preserve its continuous, rounded and traditional cigar-shaped silhouette.
Brand History and Philosophy
Eboya is the writing instrument brand of Nikko Ebonite Manufacturing, a Tokyo company founded in 1952 and recognized as Japan’s only remaining ebonite manufacturer. Ebonite is produced by combining and vulcanizing natural rubber with sulfur, creating a durable material with a warm feel and a distinctive luster developed through careful polishing.
In 2008, Nikko Ebonite succeeded in developing its own colored and marbled ebonite varieties. One year later, it opened the Eboya shop and began selling its original fountain pens. The Houga expresses this combination of technical knowledge and Japanese design sensitivity through a refined shape that makes every variation in the material an essential part of the finished pen.
“Like a new sprout emerging under the protection of the dragon, every written word opens the way to a new idea.”
