The Golden Age of Japanese Pencils: A Century-Long Rivalry
2025-03-03
In 1952, Tombow Pencil revolutionized the Japanese pencil industry with its HOMO pencil, featuring a homogenous core and high-quality incense cedar. Its significantly higher price point sparked a fierce competition with Mitsubishi Pencil, leading to a 'Golden Age' of innovation. Both companies released iconic pencils like Mitsubishi's Uni and Tombow's MONO, pushing the boundaries of pencil technology and design. This rivalry exemplifies the dedication to quality and innovation that defined Japanese manufacturing.