The Akiya-fude grind
Akiya: (ɑːˈkiːjə) (ah-KEE-yah)
noun
1. An abandoned or vacant house in Japan.
adjective (Matome Collection)
2. Describing something created with humble means that exceeds expectations.
figurative (Matome Collection)
3. Unexpectedly cool or intriguing.
Originally created by the Sailor, Japan fountain pen division in an effort to recreate the ability to do proper Japanese calligraphy using fude (brush) while using a fountain pen, their ‘fude DE mannen’ pens used a nib that had a strong bend towards the tip. This allowed line width to be changed mid-stroke by changing the angle by which the pen is held. What they didn’t anticipate was what a versatile nib style this would create even for western writing styles.
Our Akiya-fude is slightly different to the currently available fude DE mannen in that the curvature of the tines is much more gradual, meaning it is much easier to find the ‘sweet spot’ of thickness you desire. We tune our nib to achieve roughly the maximum line width at a normal writing angle, and become thinner the higher the angle of the pen becomes - from something like a BBB at max width to a Fine nib when writing with the reverse edge of the tip. If you can only take asingle pen and you want to be able to write fine margin notes and broad, juicy headlines, this nib has you covered.
All of our Akiya-fude are individually hand-ground in our workshop in Takasaki. They are currently only available as an add-on purchase with our fountain pens, which will be separately billed via invoice before shipping. Depending on available stock, requesting an Akiya-fude nib may increase the wait between ordering and shipping.
Wait, why ‘Akiya?’
Matome Collection’s studio is located inside an Akiya. A house that used to be inhabited but now for various reasons isn’t. The owner is known, they pay property taxes, and even utilities, but nobody can live there. Dotted throughout the Japanese countryside is a large amount of houses that exist in a liminal state of being functional, but not used. Akiya has become synonymous with abandonment. But for Matome Collection, it more symbolizes the finding and creating of something wonderful. Without the Akiya where we operate, we would have never been able to establish Matome Collection and create the pens that we love to bring to you all. So we’re taking the word back and paying homage to where we create our pens and grinds.