Tokyo Inklings

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Two Tokyoites’ insider views on the Japanese fountain pen world!

CY and Jacob


    • Jan 3, 2024 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 1h 5m AVG DURATION
    • 81 EPISODES

    4.8 from 109 ratings Listeners of Tokyo Inklings that love the show mention: fountain pens, sailor, collector, makers, shopping, enthusiasts, paper, hobby, east, scene, market, updates, dan, filled, one day, culture, fascinating, community, experiences, unique.


    Ivy Insights

    The Tokyo Inklings podcast is a must-listen for anyone interested in the fountain pen hobby, particularly in the Japanese pen scene. Hosted by CY and Jacob, this podcast offers a unique perspective on the world of fountain pens, providing insights into the culture, trends, and releases in Japan.

    One of the best aspects of this podcast is the extensive knowledge and understanding that CY and Jacob bring to each episode. They not only discuss the latest news and releases, but they also delve into the cultural significance behind certain pens and inks. This level of depth adds a layer of appreciation for the artistry and craftsmanship behind these writing instruments.

    Another great aspect is their hands-on approach and personal experiences with various pens and products. CY shares his tinkering experiments, offering fascinating insights into modifications and customization options. Meanwhile, Jacob's stunning photography on his Instagram and blog showcases his style preferences and collection.

    Furthermore, the Tokyo Inklings podcast stands out for its accessibility to English-speaking audiences who may otherwise struggle to navigate the Japanese stationery market due to language barriers. The hosts provide detailed descriptions of stores, shows, and other aspects of Japanese pen culture from an insider's perspective.

    However, one downside is that episodes are only released once every two weeks. While understandable given the amount of research involved, listeners may find themselves craving more frequent updates on the latest news in the fountain pen world.

    In conclusion, The Tokyo Inklings podcast offers a delightful exploration into the realm of Japanese pens, inks, paper, and culture. With informative discussions led by CY and Jacob, along with engaging guests sharing their expertise in each episode, this podcast provides valuable insights for both seasoned collectors and newcomers to fountain pens alike. Highly recommended!



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    Latest episodes from Tokyo Inklings

    Counterfeit Urushi

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 21, 2022 72:31


    CY and Jacob talk about CY's pen adventures in the US, pocket pens, Sailor's new dip pen, upcoming retail events in Tokyo, maki-e stickers, and Japan's commercial transactions law.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

    Get Off My Lawn

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 3, 2024 82:52


    CY, Jacob, along with returning guests Khuê and Alesa, reflect on the past year and make some predictions for 2024.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

    Not My Podcast

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 18, 2023 65:09


    CY, Jacob, and returning guests Khuê and Alesa talk about recent acquisitions, pen shows, Sailor saturation, and mystery vac fillers.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

    Less Savage Than Bungujoshi

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 14, 2023 60:08


    CY, Jacob, and returning guests Khuê and Alesa talk about last month's pen shows, Pro Gear saturation, and distilled water.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

    Across the North Pole

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 5, 2023 59:23


    CY and Jacob talk about large and small Sailor nibs, long flights, retractable fountain pens, clicky keyboards, vermilion urushi, and owls.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

    Polypolypoly

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 29, 2023 57:14


    CY and Jacob talk about turned acrylics, faceted barrels, price increases, counterfeit pens, and middle names.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

    jingle audionautix cy cc attribution
    A++ !

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 2, 2023 75:41


    CY, Jacob, and returning guests Alesa and Khuê look back at 2022 and try to make a few predictions for 2023.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

    72: Feels Good To Be a Noob!

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 21, 2022 69:31


    CY and Jacob discuss stationery gifts, Pilot's elusive annual Capless LE, filling systems, clicky knocks, and vintage camera lenses.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

    71: Champagne Pink Portable Printer

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 4, 2022 63:49


    CY and Jacob discuss Maruzen's 2023 spring event lineup, Pilot's new 30th-anniversary Custom 74, flea markets, kimono fabric, and sticker printers.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

    Drunk Nagahara Fixed My Nib

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 13, 2022 73:11


    Jacob, CY, and guests April from Penguins Creative and Alesa recap TIPS 2022 and discuss planners, new pen releases, engraved gold nibs, and shrinking profit margins.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

    Late From the Tokyo International Pen Show 2022

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 8, 2022 47:46


    Jacob and CY come together to give you the live update from the Tokyo International Pen Show! Wait... but it's almost two weeks late?! You can blame CY for that. He failed to upload the audio on time, but better late than never?   Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

    Wet and Creamy

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 16, 2022 76:03


    CY, Jacob, and returning guests Alesa and Khuê discuss nib grind names, paper testing, shady business practices, Montblanc's Naruto pen, price increases, and TIPS expectations.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

    (Cosmo Air) Light at the end of the tunnel

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 2, 2022 59:45


    CY and Jacob talk about bankruptcies, biomass, nib-shaped factory buildings, and new releases from Sailor, PenBBS, and Majohn.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

    66: Are They Padawan If They Are Sith?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 18, 2022 66:10


    CY and Jacob talk about Shishikura pens, Toyooka trays, Hobonichi paper testing results, nib padawans, and anime inks.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

    sith jingle audionautix cy padawan hobonichi cc attribution
    Sweet Pink Purple Whatever

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 4, 2022 81:03


    CY and Jacob talk about Bungujoshi's annual ink show in Tokyo, paper theories, new pen releases, lemons, factory calligraphy nibs, and the business of nib grinding.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

    Eyjafjallajökull

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 7, 2022 76:30


    CY and Jacob talk about differences between pen shows in US and Japan, Shishikura and Wagner pen news, how Sanzen intentionally tweaked Tomoegawa's paper formula, Icelandic volcanoes, and more.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

    10 Things Scalpers Don't Want You to Know

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 24, 2022 66:00


    CY and Jacob talk about glass pens made in prison, ink trends, Hachimonjiya's sparkly new Pro Gear, and Platinum's surprisingly popular new pen.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

    Unlimited Limited Editions

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 10, 2022 53:10


    CY and Jacob talk about glass pens made in prison, ink trends, Hachimonjiya's sparkly new Pro Gear, and Platinum's surprisingly popular new pen.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

    The Spiciest Episode Yet

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 26, 2022 76:09


    CY, Jacob, and guests Khuê and Alesa discuss TWSBI's and Narwhal's joint statement, Plus's acquisition of Sailor, upcoming events, dip pens, and CY's spicy article about Wancher.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

    Do It For The Bagels

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 12, 2022 63:33


    CY and Jacob talk about Platinum's all-new nib, Sailor's upcoming price increases, a new store-exclusive Capless, Naniwa pen show, dip pens, and more.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

    You Don't Do This To Your Neighbour

    Play Episode Listen Later May 29, 2022 63:15


    Frank from Narwhal Pens joins Jacob and CY to talk about in-house nibs, piston designs, upcoming products, and much more.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

    Lacking Context

    Play Episode Listen Later May 15, 2022 59:40


    CY and Jacob talk about stationery store visits during Golden Week, Pilot and Sailor news, and the Noodler's Ink controversy that's rocking the fountain pen world. (Trigger warning: there is discussion of antisemitic imagery from Noodler's Ink)   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

    CY Hates Sanzen Tomoe River

    Play Episode Listen Later May 1, 2022 59:05


    CY and Jacob talk about Sanzen Tomoe River, Tono & Lims's spring event, Kurashiki, financial statements, new products from Pilot, and Tohma pens.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

    pilot hates jingle audionautix cy cc attribution tomoe river
    Adult Supervision Is Back

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 17, 2022 63:00


    CY, Jacob, and Khuê talk about exciting paper news, the return of Kamihaku, a popular Traveler's notebook release, and elusive Sailor inks from Tochigi.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

    MT Everywhere

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 3, 2022 63:47


    Khuê, Alesa, and CY get together to talk about Mythical Emperors, Kurashiki, and give their best entry, mid range, and high end pen suggestions.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

    Another Day, Another Drama

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 20, 2022 71:08


    CY and Jacob talk about TWSBI's outburst, new Sailor and Pilot releases, earthquakes, and shipping difficulties.    Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

    Laughed Out Of All The Stores

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 6, 2022 67:23


    Jacob and CY talk about expected and unexpected pen fairs, a new ink trend, nibs with pacifiers, and a new retailer-exclusive Decimo.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

    Swatching Inks in the Trenches

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 13, 2022 61:59


    Jacob contacted Kaweco, CY went to Nagasaki, and Shishikura ran out of chunky glitter.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

    jingle trenches nagasaki audionautix cy inks swatching cc attribution kaweco
    Cat and Tea Loving Pen

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 30, 2022 74:52


    CY, Jacob, and guests Alesa and Khuê talk about Pilot's new pastel-colored pens, Bungubox's latest releases, glass pens, inks for pen and paper testing, and answer a few listener questions.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

    Confetti Finials

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 16, 2022 56:33


    CY and Jacob talk about investigative journalism, PenBBS's carved nibs, Kakimori's announcement, and the latest releases by Platinum and Sailor.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

    Our Predictions, Wildly Off

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 2, 2022 89:42


    CY, Jacob, Khuê, and Alesa look back at 2021 and try to make a few predictions for 2022.    Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

    You Can (Not) Buy One of These

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 26, 2021 54:47


    CY and Jacob talk about Tono & Lims's chaotic winter event, highly coveted glass pens, Wagner's past Sailor LEs, extra-stiff Pilot nibs, Japan's largest stationery show, and how Nagahara explained the King Cobra.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

    Hilariously Huge Pens

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 12, 2021 57:50


    CY and Jacob talk about Maruzen's 2022 pen fair lineup, Sailor's Pro Gear configurator, Kakimori's metal dip nibs, and CY's visit to Tohma.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

    The CEO's Granddaughter Drew the Design

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 28, 2021 64:15


    Jacob and CY talk about Kubo's monster nibs, Ohashido's unusual deal with Sailor, Mori's Wagner pen plans, Tohma, Capless news, and a bunch of new releases from Sailor.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

    Live from TIPS 2021

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 14, 2021 42:30


    CY and Jacob bring you once again live coverage from the Tokyo International Pen Show 2021! Watching the video version in the show notes is highly recommended to see the products as the hosts talk about them.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

    New New Tomoe River

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 28, 2021 20:59


    In this third "emergency" episode, Jacob and CY talk about a major announcement regarding Tomoe River. Show notes with links. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

    jingle new new audionautix cy cc attribution tomoe river
    The First Time in History

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 24, 2021 70:13


    Jacob, CY, and guests Alesa and Khuê talk about Pilot's unexpected Iroshizuku announcement, 2022 planner choices, the big pen show next month, Ancora's Sailor event, and Shosaikan's new pen.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

    Mushroom Sailors

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 10, 2021 72:00


    Jacob and CY talk about custom acrylics, CY's trip to HK, vintage celluloid Montblanc pens, Itoya's system techo event, and Sailor's latest urushi pens.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

    Don‘t Give Up on Tomoe River

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2021 67:00


    CY and Jacob discuss exciting paper news from Sakae TP, the annual Inku-numa show, Maruzen's autumn event, Moonman's revenge pen, and new product announcements from Sailor.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

    Speculative Pro Gear Bubble

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 12, 2021 67:41


    CY and Jacob talk about Plotter and other system techo planners, Maruzen's upcoming events and pens, calligraphy nibs, Wagner news, and the history of Nakaya.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

    Inappropriate Nib Engraving

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 29, 2021 58:37


    CY and Jacob talk about melon soda, Sailor's flooded factory, a colorful new Platinum pen, and Jacob's descent into the glass pen swamp.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

    The Lamborghini of Fountain Pens

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 15, 2021 73:08


    CY and Jacob talk about new acquisitions, discuss pros and cons of glass pens vs Drillog, more Chinese calligraphy nibs, paper and ink news, and also drool over the Lamborghini of fountain pens.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

    They Overstepped Their Boundaries

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 1, 2021 67:25


    CY and Jacob dissect a statement from Kaweco, and also talk about Sailor's latest earnings, nib stacking, EDC, current fountain pen trends, and what sets Pilot apart from other pen makers.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

    This is a Jacob Pen

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 18, 2021 62:08


    CY and Jacob talk about affordable naginata grinds, Pikachu-themed boardroom pens, rebottled Sailor inks, Kickstarter funding goals, red polar bears, and creepy sushi mascots.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

    Rube Goldberg Filling System

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 4, 2021 77:07


    CY and Jacob try out a trendy new paper and discuss Drillog, the annual Pen Trading in Tokyo, and their thoughts on Platinum's Kinshu and Sailor's 110th-anniversary pen after trying both at Maruzen this week.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

    Broadway Cats

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 20, 2021 61:53


    CY, Jacob, and guests Akane, Alesa, and Khuê talk about glass pens, paper testing, tax-deductible dip pens, and cat influencers.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

    I Need an Airy Goat

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 6, 2021 72:11


    CY and Jacob debunk the latest Tomoe River rumors and talk about paper options, chubby pens, the latest Sailor products, and gray importers.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

    goat sailors jingle audionautix cy airy cc attribution tomoe river
    Tomoe River is the New Toilet Paper

    Play Episode Listen Later May 23, 2021 71:30


    CY and Jacob sort out what's going on with Tomoe River, discuss double standards in the pen community, and talk about the latest new product announcements.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

    jingle toilet paper audionautix cy cc attribution tomoe river
    Griege is a Popular Women’s Hair Colour

    Play Episode Listen Later May 9, 2021 62:31


    CY and Jacob talk about telescopic piston fillers, tax deductible pens, two new Platinum releases, and why they're passionate about fountain pens.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

    Nagahara Doesn't Write

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 25, 2021 65:26


    CY and Jacob talk about how not to ink up a vintage pen, about Japan's third state of emergency and what it means for stationery stores and events, and about Nagahara's views on stacked nibs, overseas pen makers, and more.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

    Hokkaido Iridium

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 11, 2021 65:09


    CY, Jacob, and Pilot collector extraordinaire Leo Fok (aka Inquisitive Quill) geek out about Pilot’s history and many models, nibs, filling systems, and shareholder gifts.   Show notes with links and feedback form. Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

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