Okurimono Japan
Ukiyo-e style illustration: a shopkeeper behind a counter holds out two identical fountain pens, one tied with a red ribbon, while the customer in a navy kimono shrugs and looks away; behind them an apprentice drops a scroll in quiet shock.
Illustration: Okurimono Japan

Gift Truths No.12

"Fine or medium?" "Whichever." That was the only wrong answer.

If they write small or in a pocket notebook, choose Fine. If they write large or mostly sign things, Medium. Japanese nibs tend to write finer than Western ones of the same letter.

Where this came from

The article behind it.

Buying guideSep 13, 2026

Fine or Medium? Choosing a Japanese Fountain Pen Nib for a Gift

You've chosen the pen and the color, and now the shop asks: EF, F or M? What those letters mean, why they aren't a standard across brands, how to decide from the way the person writes, and two Japanese pens you can order in either Fine or Medium, with the makers' own specifications.

The gift

The ones I’d actually send.