Ohto

OHTO: A Legacy of Innovation in Writing Instruments

The history of the ballpoint pen is inextricably linked to the history of OHTO.

The brand's story began in 1919 when Nakata Touzaburo, an employee at the Ministry of Finance, formulated a special ink originally intended for banknotes. After the Ministry rejected the concept, Touzaburo chose to forge his own path, establishing Nakata-Ohka-do in Tokyo as an independent ink manufacturer.

Transforming the Writing Industry

Following World War II, the United States Army introduced ballpoint pens to Japan. Captivated by the revolutionary long-lasting ink system—which eliminated the frequent refills required by traditional fountain pens—Nakata recognized a major shift in writing technology.

• 1949: Nakata-Ohka-do launched Japan's first domestically produced ballpoint pen, the "AUTO-PENCIL," notable as the world's first pencil-shaped ballpoint pen featuring a chrome ball. Following this milestone, the company rebranded as "Auto."

• 1964: The company pushed boundaries again by introducing the groundbreaking "W" ballpoint pen, replacing standard oil-based ink with smooth water-based liquid ink.

• 1974: To distance the brand from associations with automobiles, the company officially changed its name to OHTO.

A Pioneer in Pen Technology

Today, OHTO remains synonymous with engineering excellence and cutting-edge design in the stationery world.

OHTO Milestone: OHTO has solidified its status as an industry pioneer by consistently introducing advanced writing innovations, including ceramic roller tips and revolutionary water-based ballpoint pens.

Discover OHTO's collection of precision-crafted writing instruments today and experience a century of Japanese innovation in the palm of your hand.