i n k l o d e

fountain pens, inks, paper and more

[wp_ad_camp_1]

モリタ万年筆店

On an unassuming street in the heart of Osaka, Japan is a small fountain pen shop owned and operated by Seiji Morita (森田 誠ニ). Despite its size, Mr. Morita’s shop has gained popularity within the international fountain pen community for his fair pricing, excellent service, and special exclusive inks and pens made specifically for his shop. During my latest visit to Osaka, I decided to dedicate some time to speak with Mr. Morita about his store and about fountain pens in general. It was a warm summer’s day, heavy with humidity and the sound of cicadas filling the air. In his small air conditioned shop, I inquired about the history of the store as he quietly went about his business of adjusting displays and delicately cleaning pens.

The Morita Fountain Pen Shop was originally opened by Mr. Morita’s father in 1946 during the period of post-WWII reconstruction. Although a large portion of the country was based in agriculture, a shift towards heavy industry and technology was just over the horizon. At the time, many Japanese businessmen needed fountain pens in order to sign contracts and other business related materials—items like fountain pens and lighters were even more prominent status symbols in the business world than they are today. Parker fountain pens, in particular, were highly sought after. Therefore, opening a store that catered to these up-and-coming professionals seemed like a lucrative business prospect. Although the exact location has changed slightly over the years, the shop has never strayed far from Kitahama Station.

 

The shop has a wide assortment of pens on display

 

Over the decades, technology has transformed fountain pens from a ubiquitous tool used almost daily, into a niche hobby by a sizable community of collectors and writers. Undeterred by the overwhelming digitization of communication, Mr. Morita remains resolved in his thought that the unique experience of writing with fountain pens will continue to draw in new members to the ranks. He explained that his shop is visited by both the young and old alike, and he believes that since young people usually communicate with cellphones and the internet, they become interested in fountain pens because it is something different and unusual. Even though the world of communication has become inexorably digitized, new faces always seem to find their way into the world of pens and inks.

 

 

Even in the face of online shopping eclipsing physical stores in popularity, he reasserts the importance of trying out fountain pens before you purchase them. Each pen has a different weight and feel, and each nib has its own properties that may be better suited to one person’s tastes over another’s. And, like any good shop owner, he enjoys his work for the satisfaction and smiles of his customers when they find the right pen. It is difficult to say if running a physical shop will be sustainable into the distant future, but for now Mr. Morita seems more than happy to dedicate his time and efforts into bringing something personal and unique to the fountain pen world.

If you ever find yourself in Osaka, I highly recommend paying Mr. Morita a visit. He is very kind and accommodating, and his shop has two exclusive ink colors made by Sailor (Shade Green and Wine) as well as an exclusive color Sailor Professional Gear and Professional Gear Slim. The colors for the inks and pens were personally chosen by Mr. Morita and certainly add to the experience of visiting his shop.

 

The two Sailor ink colors made exclusively for the Morita Pen Shop
The two Sailor ink colors made exclusively for the Morita Pen Shop

 

I asked Mr. Morita if he’d be willing to pose for a photo but he politely declined. Regardless, I want to thank him for taking the time to speak to me, and for allowing me to take some photos of his shop!

And a special thank you to my interpreter, Takashi Komatsu! 

 

 

 

Website: http://morita.ne.jp/

E-mail: pen@morita.ne.jp

Directions: The Morita Fountain Pen Shop (モリタ万年筆店) is located in the Chūō-ku ward (中央区) of Osaka (大阪) just out of Kitahama Station (北浜駅). Come out of exit 6 and turn left. Walk to the first corner and take another left and you will see the shop on the left side of the road. It’s really easy to get to, but I took some photos just in case. Kitahama Station is located on the Osaka Municipal Subway lines, not the JR lines. If you are coming from Osaka Station, you will have to make a transfer. If you prefer physical activity, you may consider walking as there are a few interesting things to see along the way.

Come out of exit 6 at Kitahama Station and turn left
Go to the first corner and turn left
You will see the shop on the left side of the street.

Like what you see? Subscribe to our newsletter!

Sailor Kingdom Note Tanna Japonensis arrow-right
Next post

arrow-left Muji Aluminum Round Fountain Pen
Previous post

  • Dennis

    September 27, 2014 at 1:10 am | Reply

    Thanks for your detailed information on how to get to this shop. I’m keen to visit Japan one of these days and go shopping around for fountain pens, and this shop looks like one I must visit. I take it Mr Morita cannot speak English (you mentioned a translator)?

    • Adam (inklode)

      September 27, 2014 at 2:59 am | Reply

      Yes, Mr. Morita’s English is limited, but if you have at least an idea of what you are looking for, he understands enough to help you with everything you need.

  • Jacinta

    October 17, 2014 at 2:19 am | Reply

    Hello. Thank you for your information.
    I own a Morita Original Professional Gear and it’s my favourite! I will definitely visit the shop too if I travel to Japan.
    Did you try those two Morita ink and do you have any photos? I am planning to buy it but I’m not sure how the colours are.
    Thanks!

    • Adam (inklode)

      October 17, 2014 at 7:47 am | Reply

      Hi! Yes, I tried out the two Morita inks and they are both rather subdued colors. The Shade Green is a muted evergreen color with good shading. The Wine is a deep well… wine red. I wasn’t able to spend that much time with this ink so it’s difficult for me to make any serious comparisons. I did, however, purchase a bottle of the Shade Green, and while I have not had a chance to do a review of it yet, I did make a sneak preview sample I posted to FPN several days ago. Here: http://i.imgur.com/a78zQgG.jpg

      Enjoy your visit to Osaka!

  • Rufus

    October 18, 2014 at 4:32 pm | Reply

    Thank you for the winderful review of the shop, and for the exclusive pen. Your writing is graceful and detailed, and the photos are lovely.

  • James

    September 10, 2016 at 10:52 pm | Reply

    Went to Morita-san’s shop twice this week. Mr Seiji Morita was very friendly. I purchased a two fountain pens and a handful of cartridge converters. A very good selection of pens and inks. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to get the Morita inks. I met one or two Mannenshitsu Otaku (fountain pen nerds) there and had a great time chatting to them in my ever-so-bad Japanese.

  • Doug R

    November 22, 2017 at 5:16 am | Reply

    I am with Rufus, looks awesome!

  • Stationery Shopping Experience in Osaka, Japan – Pen2paperplans

    May 26, 2018 at 11:17 am | Reply

    […] To get here I followed instructions by Inklode on this post. […]

  • Joe

    December 26, 2018 at 10:12 pm | Reply

    Thanks for your detailed directions to get to the store. I was in Osaka last week and visited this store to purchase Moritas’ Exclusive Sailor pro gear and some inks. He was very accommodating and prices are below rrp, he doesn’t do tax-free, however has Credit Card facilities, so can spend as much cash or cc limit you have 😉

  • Yu

    June 22, 2019 at 4:35 pm | Reply

    こんにちは。
    御店60周年の記念版、セーラーが発売した限定色14k (モリタブルーでしょうか)、それは何年のことでしょうか。

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *