Do you know about glass pens?
Glass pens are writing instruments that originated in Japan, where ink from a fountain pen is soaked into the nib before writing. With the recent fountain pen boom, they have become one of the high-end stationery items attracting attention.
In a renovated 170-year-old wooden two-story town house located in the Bikan Historical Area, there is a workshop and shop centered around glass pens at Kurashiki Craft Work Village, specifically at Glass Studio aun.
We interviewed Glass Studio aun, which aims to send glass pens that fit the lifestyle of users from Kurashiki to the world.
What is a "glass pen"?
As the name suggests, a glass pen is a pen made of glass.
It is a type of "dip pen" where the nib is dipped in ink before writing, invented by wind chime craftsmen during the Meiji era. While fountain pen ink is commonly used, various inks, including calligraphy ink, can also be used.
The nib of the glass pen has eight grooves, allowing ink to flow to the tip of the nib. Generally, it is said that one dip in ink allows for writing about the size of a postcard continuously.
Not only is it beautiful in appearance, but its smooth writing feel and the ability to use multiple inks with water washing have made it popular worldwide today.
What is "Glass Studio aun"?
Glass Studio aun is a glass workshop that opened in 2017, located in the "Kurashiki Craft Work Village" in the Bikan Historical Area.
Previously, they actively produced glass accessories, but now they focus on making glass pens.
Entry is by appointment only, so it is recommended to make a reservation by phone before visiting. Of course, if there are no other customers in the store, you can also drop in casually, so feel free to ask.
A shop filled with beautiful natural light
"Kurashiki Craft Work Village" is located beyond a narrow alley unique to townhouses.
Surrounding a courtyard, there are glass-walled craft shops, and all the shops are visible from the outside, making you curious about the other shops.
Warm natural light beautifully pours in from the courtyard, making the glass works in the workshop sparkle.
The color of the glass pen changes depending on how the light hits it, so you can actually pick it up and turn it around to find your favorite color of glass pen.
Workshop and shop
Glass Studio aun is a workshop. Therefore, you can see the actual process of glass production.
It is a rare opportunity to see professionals working with a burner to process glass or polish the nib. I found myself captivated by their skills, which are showcased at events overseas.
Since entry is by appointment only, you can communicate with the staff while touring the workshop. You can discuss how to incorporate glass pens into your daily life, how to maintain them after purchase, and more, making it a reassuring experience.
Collaboration products with museums and stationery stores in Kurashiki City
Inside the shop, there are a variety of colorful glass pens and inks. They have many types available so that you can choose a glass pen that fits your lifestyle.
Among the glass pens, there are also collaboration pieces inspired by Monet's "Water Lilies" and Signac's "The Canal at Asnières" in collaboration with the Ohara Museum of Art.
Paintings cannot be removed from the Ohara Museum of Art. Additionally, only pencils can be used for notes inside the museum. Glass artist Akihiro Eda reportedly visited the Ohara Museum multiple times to create prototypes.
While looking at the ink corner, I discovered the original ink from aun!
"Twilight Teal," which expresses the deep blue-green color of the lake surface at dusk, is available along with a glass pen and pen rest that match this ink. It's nice to have them as a set.
I also found inks from the large stationery store in Kurashiki City, Usagiya. They are famous for their fountain pen inks that collaborate with food and scenery, such as "Otemanju" and "Shimotsui Octopus," and it seems you can enjoy coordinating your favorite glass pen with their wide variety of inks.
How to reserve and purchase a glass pen at Glass Studio aun?
At Glass Studio aun, glass pens are made one by one to suit the user. The process for making a reservation is as follows:
- Communicate two types of glass pens you would like to see when making a reservation.
- Visit the studio and hold the two specified types of glass pens to see if they fit your hand.
- If they don't feel right, you can choose from the glass pens available in the shop or make a reservation for your next visit.
- Once you decide on a glass pen to purchase, choose the thickness of the nib.
I also quickly chose a glass pen.
In this way, you search for your favorite pen while going through prototypes and trying them out.
Since each piece of glass has a different color, it is important to see them with your own eyes rather than online.
I was also intrigued by the storm glass, which changes patterns depending on the outside temperature, but I fell in love with the blue that sparkles when exposed to sunlight and chose Lagoon (the one I am holding up to sunlight in the above photo).
Additionally, the glass pens produced vary in thickness as well. Considering how the user holds and grips the pen, they help you find the one that feels the most comfortable for you.
Since the nib is also made of glass, I was a bit apprehensive about trying it out, fearing it might break if I pressed too hard, but the writing feel was surprisingly smooth and impressive. I thought, "I can use this!" and chose the pen shaft "FM," which is similar to what I usually use, like ballpoint pens.
Even after purchase, if the ink gets clogged in the pen barrel or if you want to change the thickness of the nib, maintenance is also available. It seems that many customers send their pens for maintenance about once a month, with an average of once a year.
Glass may seem difficult to handle, but with careful aftercare, it makes you think, "Maybe I should try using it in my daily life."
I spoke with Akihiro Eda, the owner and glass craftsman, about what Glass Studio aun values and its vision for the future.
Data of Glass Studio aun
| Name | Glass Studio aun |
|---|---|
| Address | 1-30 Honmachi, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 086-489-0988 |
| Parking | None |
| Business Hours | 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM |
| Regular Holiday | Thursday |
| Payment Methods |
|
| Website | Eda Akihiro Glass Works |
