Platinum Izumo Gloss Tagayasan Fountain Pen

Tagaysan, which means "as hard as sword of iron" promises strength and power. It may also be a reference to the rosewood which makes up the writing implements body, sometimes known as ironwood, sword wood pr Bombay Blackwood - words that conjure the exotic beauty of rare materials. The Izumo, introduced in 2010, was a bold step away from the usual (and a bit dull) cigar shape body so common among Japanese pen makers. Platinum tried something different, creating a unique undulating silhouette, broader on the cap end, with a wave and then tapered end. A well considered design which paid off: masculine but not inelegant this pen feels large but it is mostly illusion.