Collection: Matsubokkuri: The Flamework Alchemy of Suginami
The Flamework Alchemy of Suginami
In a quiet workshop in Suginami, Tokyo, glass artist Kiyoshi Matsumura hand-blows each Matsubokkuri glass pen from borosilicate glass — a craft he has practiced since 2007, the culmination of a decade as a physics-and-chemistry glassware apprentice before founding Glass Studio Matsubokkuri in 1995.
Featherlight by Design
Unlike most glass pens, nearly every Matsubokkuri pen — with the exception of the Triangle and Crystal series — is blown from hollow glass tubing rather than solid rod. The result is a pen so light it barely feels like glass at all, reducing hand fatigue during long writing sessions while preserving the cool, glassy glide across the page.
A Living Craft
Each pen carries the individuality of hand-torch work: subtle variations in the spiral grooves, the interplay of trapped mica and gold flecks, the depth of colour beneath the surface. Matsumura's studio stands behind every piece with a written guarantee of writing performance, and offers nib repair and adjustment for the life of the pen.
Explore the Series
From the mirror-bright Crystal and Triangle pens to the shimmering gold-flecked Tsubu-Tsubu series, the ethereal Storm Glass pens, and the maki-e lacquer collaborations with Wajima artisans, each Matsubokkuri series explores a different relationship between light, colour, and glass.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Matsubokkuri glass pens made of?
Matsubokkuri glass pens are hand-blown from borosilicate glass, a heat-resistant glass also used in scientific laboratory equipment, chosen for its clarity and durability.
Are Matsubokkuri glass pens lightweight?
Yes. With the exception of the Triangle and Crystal series, Matsubokkuri pens are blown from hollow glass tubing rather than solid rod, making them significantly lighter than most glass pens.