Kakimori Sakura Wood Nib Holder — Japanese Cherry Dip Pen Body for Interchangeable Nibs (Made in Japan)

A Nib Holder Designed to Outlast the Trend

Most dip pen accessories are treated as an afterthought — a plastic shaft that exists only to hold a nib. Kakimori's Sakura Wood Nib Holder starts from the opposite premise: that the object you hold for hours of writing deserves the same design attention as the nib itself. Designed by Japanese furniture and product designer Makoto Koizumi and produced by Nakamura Woodworks in Japan, this nib holder is turned from solid Japanese cherry (sakura) wood and fitted with a Tachikawa universal nib socket, making it one of the more considered accessories in the modern dip pen category.

What Makes the Sakura Wood Nib Holder Different

Dip pen holders typically fall into two camps: cheap plastic housings with loose-fitting metal prongs, or expensive artisan pieces designed more for display than daily use. Kakimori's Sakura holder occupies a third position — a genuinely functional, pencil-length writing tool that happens to be made from real wood rather than a wood-effect coating. The body is left with a natural, ink-resistant finish rather than a thick lacquer, so the grain and texture of the cherry wood remain visible and tactile under the fingers, while the finish still protects against everyday ink contact. Over months and years of use, the sakura wood deepens from its original pale-to-warm tone into a richer red-brown patina — a visible record of use rather than a flaw to avoid.

Design & Craftsmanship

The holder measures approximately 178mm in length with an 11mm body diameter — close to the length and weight of a standard pencil — and weighs roughly 9–10g, light enough to disappear in the hand during long writing sessions. The body is shaped from a single piece of Japanese cherry heartwood, tapering gently toward the nib socket for a balanced, front-light grip. The nib socket itself is a Tachikawa-type universal mount: a press-fit plastic (or, on current-production units, a recycled-carbon-fibre composite) socket rather than the old-style open metal prongs used on traditional Western dip pens. This design is more rust-resistant, grips the nib more securely over repeated use, and is easier to keep clean of dried ink than a metal claw mount.

Compatibility & Care

The Sakura Wood Nib Holder is built to universal specifications and accepts most standard-size dip pen nibs, including Kakimori's own steel and brass nibs as well as many third-party nibs of comparable size — a genuinely flexible base for anyone building a small dip pen kit rather than a single-nib tool. Note that recent production updates to the nib socket may not accept some traditional Japanese round-tip (maru) nibs; if you are pairing this holder with a specific vintage or specialty nib, we recommend confirming fit before purchase.

Because the body is real wood rather than sealed plastic, care is simple but worth following: wipe ink from the holder with a soft, dry cloth after use rather than rinsing it under water, and avoid prolonged soaking, sudden temperature swings, or extended direct sunlight, all of which can cause the wood to warp or discolour unevenly. As a natural material, no two holders are identical — expect visible variation in grain pattern and tone from piece to piece.

One Body, Several Finishes

The Sakura Wood Nib Holder is the standard-grain edition in Kakimori's nib holder family, distinguished by its warmer, reddish heartwood tone. Kakimori produces the same body in several other finishes for those who prefer a different look: White Sakura Wood, cut from the paler sapwood of the same cherry tree; Aizome, cherry wood hand-dyed by an indigo artisan; and Urushi, cherry wood finished using the traditional fuki-urushi lacquering technique to highlight the grain. A solid aluminum version is also available for a heavier, cooler-to-the-touch alternative. All share the same 178mm length and Tachikawa-style universal socket, so nibs move freely between holders in the family.

About Kakimori

Kakimori is a stationery brand and shop from Kuramae, Tokyo, tracing its roots to a family stationery business founded in 1961. Since being reopened in 2010 by third-generation owner Takuma Hirose as a shop dedicated entirely to the pleasure of handwriting, Kakimori has built a small, considered catalogue of dip pens, nibs, custom inks, and order-made notebooks — each piece designed, in the brand's own words, to inspire a lifetime of use.

Product Specifications

Available at Shosai — Ottawa–Gatineau

Shosai (shosai.ca) is a fine stationery boutique serving the Ottawa–Gatineau National Capital Region. We carry a curated selection of Kakimori dip pen holders and nibs alongside premium fountain pen inks and papers from Japan, Korea, and Taiwan.

• 📍 In-store pickup: Gatineau, QC — J9J 0K6
• 🛵 Local delivery: Available in the Ottawa–Gatineau area
• 🚚 Ships Canada-wide and to the US
• 🇫🇷 Bilingual service — English and French

Whether you're building your first dip pen setup or adding a considered, long-lasting tool to an existing collection, the Kakimori Sakura Wood Nib Holder belongs on your desk.