Tachikawa / T-44 Japanese Character Pen (Model Number: T44-3) Engraved with "№44 TACHIKAWA MADE IN JAPAN." Unlike spoon pens or G-pens, this nib is designed in Japan specifically for writing Japanese characters, making it less prone to catching for beginners. ◆ Japanese character pens are nibs developed in Japan for writing kanji and hiragana. They are slightly harder than G-pens. --------------------------------- This pen nib has fewer of the unique catches associated with dip pens and is easy to handle without any quirks. It allows for soft, smooth, and flexible strokes. I think it's the perfect nib for "dip pen beginners" who want to draw with the feel of a pencil or ballpoint pen. It's also a popular nib for manga. ---------------------- ● The difference between the Tachikawa and Nikko brands is the hardness. It's a matter of material and subtle design. Tachikawa nibs are harder than Nikko nibs. ◆ About Pen Nib Manufacturers ◆ Lion Pen Nibs were manufactured by LION, an office equipment company, but they are no longer produced. Production and sales of pen nibs ceased in 1996 (Heisei 8), over 20 years ago, and it is a brand of pen nibs that will eventually disappear. Currently, the Japanese pen nib brands on the market are: Tachikawa, Nikko, and Zebra. Since the Nikko brand was taken over by Tachikawa, there are only two manufacturers: Tachikawa and Zebra. There are also stories that the older ones are better in performance. In the high-growth era, around 1985 (Showa 60), the production of dip pens was 1 million gross (1 gross is 144 pens), an astronomical figure, but they have been replaced by ballpoint pens in government offices and banks with the trend of the times. Regarding pen nibs: In the past, there were many pen nib manufacturers, and a large number were produced, with many workers and skilled craftsmen. It seems that they still use the manufacturing machines of that time. The number of workers, which was large in the past, has decreased dramatically, and many of the skilled workers who manufactured during the mass production era remain. I have also heard that the ones from that time are better. Also, I have heard that they write smoothly without catching, but I will treat this as a reference. Also, chrome-colored pen nibs are less prone to deterioration and still maintain their original performance.