Eboya Hakobune Shinryou Dragon God Medium Fountain Pen

Eboya Hakobune Shinryou Dragon God Medium Fountain Pen

Handcrafted and polished in Tokyo, the Eboya Hakobune Shinryou Dragon God Medium Fountain Pen turns the natural character of ebonite into its defining feature. Toasted beige and bronze-toned marbling moves across a deep brown body, giving every pen a different appearance. Its clipless Medium-size form and 14K gold nib make it an excellent choice for writers who appreciate Japanese craftsmanship, comfortable proportions and materials that develop character over time.

Concept and design

Hakobune (方舟) means “ark” or a boat with a rectangular form. Eboya chose the name with the wish that its fountain pens would carry happiness to the people who use them. The model follows a traditional rounded profile without a clip, allowing the cap and barrel to form one uninterrupted silhouette. This understated construction keeps the focus on the ebonite and its individual pattern.

The name Shinryou (神龍), meaning “Dragon God” or “Divine Dragon”, recalls Shenlong, the spiritual dragon of Chinese mythology associated with clouds, storms and the rain on which agriculture depends. Its imagery also became connected with imperial authority and the balance between celestial power and the natural world. In Japanese, the characters are read Shinryū, while Shinryou is the spelling used here for Eboya’s finish.

Eboya officially classifies Shinryou as a beige mixture, but the finished pen has a much deeper appearance. Toasted beige, brown and subtle bronze-like streaks emerge through an almost black foundation, recalling polished stone, rain-soaked earth or the scales of the mythical creature behind its name. The distribution of these colours changes with every ebonite rod, so no two pens have exactly the same pattern.

Each body is shaped and polished by hand at Nikko Ebonite Manufacturing. Careful polishing brings out the material’s deep lustre while preserving the warm, pleasant feel for which ebonite is valued. The clipless design leaves the marbling fully visible, and the engraved words Eboya Made in Tokyo provide a discreet record of the pen’s origin.

Writing performance and filling system

Medium describes the size of the pen body rather than the nib width. At 142 mm closed and 15 mm in diameter, this version offers more presence than a compact pen without reaching the dimensions of the Hakobune Large. Its rounded shape and approximately 24 g weight provide a substantial yet comfortable platform for everyday notes, correspondence and longer writing sessions.

The Hakobune Shinryou is fitted with a 14K gold nib, carefully checked and adjusted for smooth, controlled writing.

The pen uses an international-standard cartridge and converter filling system. To fill from an ink bottle, unscrew the barrel, fit the converter securely and draw up the ink while keeping the nib properly submerged. Compatible international cartridges, including Pelikan-type cartridges, provide a convenient alternative when travelling. The non-proprietary system also makes routine cleaning and ink changes straightforward.

Package contents

• Eboya Hakobune Shinryou Dragon God Medium Fountain Pen
• Standard international converter
• Ink cartridge (1 unit)
• Paulownia wood presentation box (a special presentation prepared by Eboya for Inktraveler in place of the standard cardboard box)
• Warranty

(Product photographs are for reference. The marbling and distribution of the colours may vary from the individual pen shown.)

Technical specifications

• Brand: Eboya
• Model: Hakobune Medium
• Finish: Shinryou Dragon God
• Body and cap material: original marbled ebonite by Nikko Ebonite Manufacturing
• Colour: toasted beige and brown marbling over a very dark base
• Body size: Medium
• Closed length: 142 mm
• Cap diameter: 15 mm
• Barrel diameter: 15 mm
• Approximate weight: 24 g
• Nib: 14K gold
• Available nib widths: Fine, Medium Fine, Medium and Broad, subject to availability
• Filling system: international-standard cartridge or converter
• Design: clipless
• Engraving: Eboya Made in Tokyo
• Handcrafted in Tokyo, Japan

Care and maintenance

Ebonite may gradually change in tone or lose some of its original gloss. This ageing process is a natural characteristic of the material rather than a manufacturing defect. To preserve the finish, avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight and humidity, store the pen in a dark place and wipe the surface occasionally with a soft cloth.

Before changing ink colours or brands, flush the filling system thoroughly with clean water until it runs clear. Eboya advises against using pigment inks in its fountain pens. When carrying an inked pen, keeping the nib pointing upwards can also help reduce the risk of leakage.

Frequently asked questions

Does Medium refer to the pen size or the nib width?
Medium identifies the size of the pen body. The writing width is selected separately from Fine, Medium Fine, Medium and Broad, subject to availability.

Will every Hakobune Shinryou have the same marbling?
No. Each body is made from a different section of marbled ebonite, so the distribution of beige, brown and darker tones varies naturally. The photographs show a representative individual pen.

Which filling system does it use?
It accepts international-standard cartridges and converters. The included converter allows the pen to be filled from an ink bottle, while compatible international cartridges provide a convenient alternative.

Does the Eboya Hakobune Shinryou have a clip?
No. Hakobune is intentionally clipless, preserving its continuous silhouette and leaving the marbled ebonite fully visible.

Can pigment inks be used?
Eboya advises against using pigment inks in its fountain pens. Standard fountain pen ink is recommended, and the filling system should be flushed with water before changing colours.

Do Shinryou and Shinryū refer to the same finish?
Yes. Shinryou is the commercial spelling used for this product, while Shinryū is the standard romanisation of the Japanese reading of 神龍. Both mean “Dragon God”.

Eboya and the craft of ebonite

Eboya is the writing instrument brand of Nikko Ebonite Manufacturing, founded in Tokyo in 1952 and recognised as Japan’s last specialist manufacturer of ebonite. After supplying the material to leading Japanese pen makers for decades, the company introduced its own fountain pen collection in 2009. This background gives Eboya direct control over the process, from producing the ebonite rods to turning and polishing the completed pen.

Ebonite is produced by vulcanising natural rubber with sulphur and was one of the earliest industrial polymers to be developed. Its name comes from ebony, whose dark, polished appearance it can resemble. Nikko Ebonite uses the material for its durability, machinability and warm feel in the hand. When carefully polished, its deep lustre can also recall the surface of traditional Japanese lacquerware.

The Hakobune Shinryou reflects that material-led approach. Its character does not depend on applied decoration, but on the ebonite itself, the hands that shape it and the natural variations revealed during polishing. It is both a practical writing instrument and an individual example of Tokyo craftsmanship.

"Where earth, rain and ink meet, the Dragon God leaves a different trace in every line."