Tokuji Hayakawa’s masterpiece embellished with exquisite ornament metalworking revives after a century, a reproduced version of Hayakawa Mechanical Pencil.

Japan’s first mechanical pencil was invented in 1915 by Tokuji Hayakawa, the founder of Sharp Corporation. Using his knowledge and skills of decorative ornament metalworking he has gained through apprenticeship at a dedicated shop from an early age, Tokuji produced 15 mechanical pencils embellished with elaborate decorations on the exterior. Platinum Pen has replicated the Hayakawa Mechanical Pencil based on one of the original models, which are now preserved at the Sharp Technology Innovation Museum in Tenri City, Nara Prefecture.

While modern technology has been applied for the interior, including 0.5 mm lead and a new mechanism to advance the lead, delicate patterns are engraved one by one on the exterior of the barrel body with engine turning technique to recreate the unique aesthetic of the original design. The weight, feel, and design of the mechanical pencil inherit the essence of the Taisho Romanticism movement, which integrated Western art style with Japanese styles during the good old days of Taisho era (1912-26). The masterpiece exudes the beauty of its novel design and timeless appeal, satisfying the sense of pride of the owner.

A crown combining functionality and decoration

The crown is engraved with a subtle pattern that combines functionality and decoration to avoid slippage when rotating.

Body barrel with detailed engraving

Detailed patterns are engraved on the body barrel using engine turning
technique. Its brilliance emitted by the light rivals that of metallic ornaments. The technique applies a small steel ball to produce an intricate pattern on a surface by meticulously engraving fine lines one by one.

Exclusive paulownia wood box

The product comes in a paulownia box exclusively produced for Hayakawa Mechanical Pencil. Airtight, mothproof and humidity-controlled paulownia wood boxes are suitable for long tern storage of writing instruments.