Pilot Kakuno Madoromi — Soft Colour Fountain Pen with Gold-Plated Nib (F / M)

Pilot Kakuno Madoromi — Soft Colour Fountain Pen with Gold-Plated Nib (F / M)

The Pilot CON-40 Converter is not included with this pen and must be purchased separately — available here.

The Pilot Kakuno Madoromi is a soft-colour fountain pen from Pilot's Kakuno line — one of Japan's most beloved entry-level fountain pen series, here presented in a new Madoromi colour collection with a meaningful upgrade: a gold-plated steel nib in place of the standard Kakuno's plain steel. Madoromi (まどろみ) is a Japanese word for a gentle, drowsy state between waking and sleep — the specific quality of soft morning light, quiet hours, and subdued, warm colour. The name translates directly into the pen's palette: five soft, muted tones — Pink, Brown, Blue, Ivory, and Light Blue — each a restrained, grown-up pastel that sits closer to the natural world than to a stationery display. The body is opaque resin in a smooth, rounded profile that departs from the standard Kakuno's hexagonal shape, giving the Madoromi a softer, more personal feel in the hand. Available in Fine (F) and Medium (M) nib sizes across most colours.

The Kakuno line was designed by Pilot to make fountain pen writing genuinely accessible without compromising on quality. The Madoromi series carries that philosophy forward into a more refined aesthetic register: the gold-plated smiling face nib retains the Kakuno's characteristic writing angle guide while adding a warm metallic accent that complements the soft body colours; the snap cap and triangular grip section remain; and the overall writing experience — smooth, reliable, beginner-friendly — is fully consistent with the Kakuno platform. Each pen includes one Pilot black ink cartridge and is compatible with Pilot CON-40 and CON-70 converters.

Available at Shosai (shosai.ca) in Gatineau / Ottawa — with in-store pickup (J9J 0K6) and Canada-wide shipping.

What Makes the Kakuno Madoromi Different

The standard Kakuno is defined by its accessibility and its hexagonal pencil-shaped body. The Madoromi retains the accessibility — the smiling face nib, the triangular grip, the snap cap, the beginner-friendly writing experience — while stepping into a different visual and tactile register. The rounded body profile is softer and more personal than the hexagonal standard; the muted pastel colours are quieter and more considered than the standard Kakuno's brighter palette; and the gold-plated nib adds a warmth and refinement that elevates the pen from purely functional to genuinely beautiful as an object.

The gold plating on the nib is cosmetic rather than material — the nib is steel alloy with a gold-coloured finish — but the visual effect is significant: the warm gold tone of the nib complements each of the Madoromi body colours in a specific way, and gives the pen a quality impression that belies its entry-level price. For writers who want a pen that is both approachable and aesthetically considered — a daily writing instrument that feels deliberate rather than default — the Kakuno Madoromi is a natural choice.

Colour Collection

The Madoromi series is available in five soft, muted colours. Shosai currently stocks the following:

Madoromi Pink

A soft, muted rose — warm and dusty rather than bright or sweet, closer to dried flower than fresh blossom. The pink reads as composed and grown-up, with a warmth that pairs naturally with the gold-plated nib. Available in F and M nib sizes.

Madoromi Brown

A warm greige or taupe — a soft grey-brown that sits between warm grey and muted brown, with the specific restraint of natural materials. Understated and versatile, the most neutral of the Madoromi colours and the most naturally professional. Available in F and M nib sizes.

Madoromi Blue

A soft slate blue — a muted, slightly grey blue that suggests early morning sky or washed denim, cooler and more composed than a standard blue. Sits comfortably in both professional and personal writing contexts. Available in F nib size only at Shosai.

Madoromi Ivory (currently unavailable)

A soft warm white — creamy and quiet, the warmest and most neutral of the five colours.

Madoromi Light Blue (currently unavailable)

A soft aqua or pale teal — lighter and cooler than Madoromi Blue, closer to still water or a clear winter sky.

Pen Specifications

Body and Design

The Kakuno Madoromi body is a smooth rounded profile — a departure from the standard Kakuno's hexagonal cross-section, with a softer, more organic feel in the hand. The body and cap are opaque resin in the Madoromi palette colour; the grip section is a lighter translucent or white-toned resin that provides visual contrast with the body colour and maintains the triangular profile that guides writing position. The cap snaps onto the barrel securely and posts at the back of the pen during writing.

Nib

The Madoromi nib is a steel alloy nib with a gold-plated finish and the characteristic smiling face engraved at the base — Pilot's signature design element for the Kakuno line, oriented upward during correct writing to confirm nib angle. The gold-plated finish adds warmth and visual refinement without altering the writing characteristics of the steel nib. Smooth, consistent, and reliable in both available sizes:

• F (Fine) — a balanced everyday line width suitable for most handwriting styles and paper types; the recommended starting point for new fountain pen writers; available in Pink, Brown, and Blue
• M (Medium) — a broader, wetter line with a more expressive writing feel; the recommended choice for writers who enjoy ink shading and a generous flow; available in Pink and Brown

Filling System

The Kakuno Madoromi accepts Pilot proprietary ink cartridges and is compatible with the Pilot CON-40 squeeze converter and the Pilot CON-70 piston converter. The CON-70 offers greater ink capacity and is recommended for writers who want longer writing sessions between refills. Each pen ships with one Pilot black ink cartridge.

Dimensions and Weight

Nib Size Guide

Recommended Inks

The Kakuno Madoromi performs well with all Pilot cartridge and bottled inks, and is compatible with most water-based fountain pen inks from other brands when used with a converter. The soft Madoromi body colours pair particularly well with:

• Pilot Iroshizuku inks — the refined Iroshizuku palette complements the Madoromi's considered aesthetic; Yama-budo (fuchsia-purple) pairs naturally with Madoromi Pink; Fuyu-syogun (cool grey) or Shin-kai (smoky blue-black) with Madoromi Brown; Kon-peki (vivid cerulean) or Asa-gao (royal blue) with Madoromi Blue
• Muted, sophisticated ink colours — the Madoromi's restrained palette rewards inks that share its quiet character; dusty roses, warm greys, slate blues, and earthy tones read particularly well from this pen
• Standard dye-based inks — any well-behaved water-based ink performs reliably in the Kakuno; pigment inks are not recommended due to clogging risk in the non-disassemblable feed

Pen Care and Maintenance

The Kakuno Madoromi is low-maintenance under normal use with standard dye-based inks. Flush with cool water every 4–6 weeks or when changing inks. The grip section and feed are not designed for full disassembly — avoid forcing the grip section apart. The opaque resin body is more scratch-resistant than the Clear variant and will maintain its appearance well under normal everyday use.

About Pilot

Pilot Corporation is one of Japan's oldest and most respected writing instrument manufacturers, founded in 1918 and producing fountain pens, inks, and writing instruments for over a century. The Kakuno Madoromi represents the Kakuno platform at its most refined: the same approachable, reliable writing experience that has made the Kakuno line beloved worldwide, now in a colour collection and with a nib finish designed for writers who want a daily fountain pen that is as considered in appearance as it is in performance.

Product Specifications

Ivory and Light Blue currently unavailable at Shosai — contact us to be notified when stock arrives.

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 premium fountain pen inks, papers, and writing instruments from the world's most respected stationery brands.

• 📍 In-store pickup: Gatineau, QC — J9J 0K6
• 🛵 Local delivery: Available in the Ottawa–Gatineau area
• 🚚 Canada-wide shipping available
• 🇫🇷 Service bilingue — français et anglais

Whether you are new to fountain pens or a seasoned collector, Shosai is your local destination for inks that go beyond the ordinary.