New Edition HIZEN5 Saga Collective Japanese Ceramic Glass Dip Pen Sumihajiki Karahanamon

The HIZEN5 brand was launched as a collaboration between Saga Prefecture, Japan, and five ceramic production areas: Karatsu, Imari, Takeo, Ureshino and Arita. HIZEN5 is named after the historic province Hizen, of which, over 400 years ago, these areas were a part.

HIZEN5 have a simple mission: protect and grow local artisanal ceramic traditions through the development of new, innovative and interesting products.

Glass dip pens have many unique qualities that have kept them in constant use for hundreds of years. In modern times they are considered as much ornaments as writing instruments. The unique weight and balance of dip pens makes each written character as profound as the words you are trying to record. Each of the pens has a refined tip that – along with the ink – can indicate from where each thought has been left off. The ink becomes thicker or thinner depending on each stressed stroke or even a sharp intake of breath! This breathes life into the words written. The beauty of a glass ink pen is that they are easy to clean, meaning you can frequently change ink colour.

Each of the HIZEN5 dip pens reflects the style and craftsmanship unique to a specific tradition. The Imari style of pottery was originally designed and decorated to be given as a gift to a Lord of the land. It is of the highest quality and the style and technique have remained unchanged for over 400 years. A leather cord can be tied to the hoop on the end of the dip pen to help identify the pen.

Every pen is hand-crafted and therefore totally unique.