Compiled from 10 sources; we haven't tested these products ourselves yet. How we research
Quick answer
On published specs, the Pilot Parallel Pen is the best calligraphy pen for beginners learning broad-edge hands: two parallel steel plates give a crisp edge in six widths from 1.5 to 6.0 mm. For brush or modern calligraphy, start with the hard-tip Tombow Fudenosuke; for no ink at all to manage, the Sakura Pigma Calligrapher.
On this page11 sections
One pick per style. Drawn in proportion from maker lengths where published.
Pilot Parallel Pen, 3.8 mm (US item 90052): Made by Pilot Corporation (Japan); sold in the US by Pilot Corporation of America. Made in Japan: per Goldspot's listing ("Made in Japan"). Pilot's Japanese press release and US pages don't state it. A search-result summary of a Swiss listing for the European FP3-38-SS gave China; we couldn't confirm that on the page itself, so origin may vary by market. Source. Price: example listing. Released: Pilot Japan's October 8, 2020 press release says the Parallel Pen has sold since 1999; the 3.0 and 4.5 mm widths and the ivory Japanese barrel followed on October 14, 2020.
Sakura Pigma Calligrapher (1, 2 and 3 mm): Made by Sakura Color Products Corporation (Osaka); sold in the US by Sakura of America. Country of manufacture not stated: Sakura of America's product page and the Amazon US listing don't state a country of manufacture, and Sakura's Japanese Pigma page doesn't list the Calligrapher, so we found no maker statement (checked October 23, 2026). Check the pen or package.
LAMY joy calligraphy fountain pen (1.1, 1.5 and 1.9 mm): Made by C. Josef Lamy GmbH, Heidelberg (part of Mitsubishi Pencil Co., Ltd.). Made in Germany: LAMY's own India storefront lists the country of origin as Germany and names C. Josef Lamy GmbH, Grenzhöfer Weg 32, Heidelberg, as the manufacturer (read October 23, 2026). A Digitec listing gives China and Germany, which we treat as unclear. Source. Price: example listing.
Tombow Fudenosuke Brush Pen (hard and soft tip): Made by Tombow Pencil Co., Ltd. (Tokyo); sold in the US by Tombow USA. Made in Japan: LarryPOST (Australia) lists the navy-body black hard tip as made in Japan. Tombow's Japanese, US and European pages don't state a country, and we found no origin for the soft tip (WS-BS 150), so check the pack. Source. Price: example listing. Released: Tombow Japan's 2018 press release says the black Fudenosuke went on sale in Japan in 2001 and in Europe and the US from 2015; the 10-color hard-tip range launched in October 2018.
Pentel Touch Sign Pen (SES15C): Made by ASTRUM Corporation (Tokyo), called Pentel Co., Ltd. until April 1, 2026; Pentel remains the brand. Made in Japan: Pentel of America's 2023–2024 product guide gives the origin of the SES15C as Japan, and its 2022 catalog says the same for the 12 pastel colors. Japanese retailer Sundrug lists 原産国 (country of origin) 日本 (Japan) for the sky blue pen, SES15C-S. Pentel's Japanese page doesn't state a country. Source. Price: example listing.
Kuretake ZIG Fudegokochi brush pen (LS1-10, black): Made by Kuretake Co., Ltd. (Japan). Made in Japan: Kuretake's Japanese order site lists 原産国 (country of origin) 日本 (Japan) for the black Fudegokochi, LS1-10 (read October 23, 2026). Source. Price: example listing.
Price bands are typical US retail, checked October 2026. Conversions to US dollars are approximate, at October 2026 rates (US$1 = ¥158 = ₩1,330 = NT$32.5 = CN¥6.7 = SEK 9.9 = DKK 6.7 = ₺49.6 = C$1.41 = A$1.43 = CZK 21.7; €1 = US$1.12; £1 = US$1.32; CHF 1 = US$1.21).
Key takeaways
Pilot Japan sells the Parallel Pen in six widths, 1.5, 2.4, 3.0, 3.8, 4.5 and 6.0 mm, at ¥1,320 (about US$8.40); it has been on sale since 1999.
The LAMY joy is a 178 mm, 17 g fountain pen with a steel calligraphy nib in 1.1, 1.5 or 1.9 mm, priced at €22.90 (about US$26) in Germany.
Sakura's Pigma Calligrapher has a hard nylon chisel in 1, 2 or 3 mm and waterproof, fade-resistant pigment ink, with nothing to refill.
Tombow says the Fudenosuke hard tip writes at about 250 g, ordinary ballpoint pressure, which is why most brush-lettering courses start with it.
Kuretake lists its Fudegokochi brush-style pen at 138 mm and 11 g, with pigment ink good for 300 to 400 m of writing.
What is the best calligraphy pen for beginners?
The Pilot Parallel Pen is the best first pen for broad-edge calligraphy, and the Tombow Fudenosuke is the best first pen for brush calligraphy; four more picks cover other styles and budgets. The Parallel is #1 for broad edge because its two plates give a crisp edge without dipping, in the widest range here (1.5 to 6.0 mm); the Fudenosuke’s firm tip keeps brush letters even while you learn.
Best overall, broad edge:Pilot Parallel Pen. Why it’s here: two parallel alloy plates replace a dip nib, in six widths from 1.5 to 6.0 mm in Japan, over three times the LAMY joy’s widest 1.9 mm; Pilot says the edge also draws hairlines.
Simplest, no ink to manage:Sakura Pigma Calligrapher. Why it’s here: the only broad-edge pick with no ink to fill, a disposable hard nylon chisel in 1, 2 or 3 mm; Sakura suggests 1 mm for envelopes, 2 mm for place cards and 3 mm for titles.
Fountain pen with an italic nib:LAMY joy. Why it’s here: the only pick with a conventional steel nib, an italic in 1.1, 1.5 or 1.9 mm, which suits everyday italic handwriting more than display letters.
Best brush pen to start:Tombow Fudenosuke, hard tip. Why it’s here: firm tips bend less than soft brushes, and Tombow says this one writes at about 250 g, ordinary pen pressure, so letters stay even while you learn.
Small brush script:Pentel Touch Sign Pen. Why it’s here: the next step after the Fudenosuke for smaller writing, with a brush-style tip retailers give as 0.35 to 2.0 mm, for lettering in a planner.
Japanese brush writing: Kuretake Fudegokochi. Why it’s here: the only pick made for Japanese brush writing, which Kuretake calls easy for addresses and gift envelopes: 138 mm, 11 g, pigment ink, made in Japan.
Every broad-edge width among the picks, drawn to scale.
How did we choose these picks?
We compiled these picks from published sources, not hands-on testing: makers’ specs and claims (Pilot, LAMY and Kuretake on their home sites), retailer widths, US availability and price band. We started from the style you want to learn, broad edge or brush, then chose the pen with the clearest published case for an easy start.
How do the six calligraphy pens compare?
Three are broad-edge pens for traditional hands and three are brush pens for modern script.
Pen
Tip
Widths
Ink
Refillable
Length
Made in
Band
Pilot Parallel
Two parallel plates
1.5–6.0 mm
Pilot cartridges, 12 colors
Yes
171 mm (6.7 in)
Japan
$$
Sakura Pigma Calligrapher
Hard nylon chisel
1, 2, 3 mm
Pigment, 6 colors
No
Not published
Not stated
$
LAMY joy
Steel italic nib
1.1, 1.5, 1.9 mm
LAMY T10 or Z28
Yes
178 mm (7.0 in)
Germany
$$$
Tombow Fudenosuke
Elastomer brush, hard or soft
Not published
Water-based pigment
No
134 mm (5.3 in), soft tip
Japan
$
Pentel Touch Sign Pen
Flexible fiber brush tip
0.35–2.0 mm
Water-based dye
No
Not published
Japan
$
Kuretake Fudegokochi
POM brush-style tip
Not published
Water-based pigment
No
138 mm (5.4 in)
Japan
$
Lengths come from Pilot Japan, LAMY Germany, JetPens (Fudenosuke) and Kuretake.
Broad-edge or brush: which calligraphy should you learn first?
Learn the style you want to write; the tool follows from it. Broad-edge pens like the Parallel, joy and Pigma Calligrapher make thick and thin strokes from the angle of a flat nib, which is how italic, gothic and roundhand work.
Brush pens make thick strokes from pressure instead, which is the basis of modern brush lettering. Our best brush pens roundup compares more of them, including softer tips to move to later.
Why do beginners start with the Pilot Parallel?
It behaves like a dip pen without the dip. Pilot Japan says its two-plate “parallel plate mechanism” gives sharper strokes than ordinary calligraphy pens, and the alloy plates resist rust.
The pen is 171 mm long and weighs 10.7 g, per Pilot’s catalog, and comes with a black and a red cartridge, a cleaning pipette and a paper-dust cleaner. Pilot’s 2020 Japanese release lists ¥250 (about US$1.60) before tax for a pack of cartridges in any of 12 colors. The pipette is for flushing the nib with water, the same basic routine as in our how to clean a fountain pen guide.
If you’d rather try a real dip pen for drawing and everyday lettering, the Kakimori Stainless Steel Nib fits many standard holders and writes a sentence or two per dip, per Goulet.
Is the LAMY joy a good calligraphy fountain pen?
Yes, for small italic writing and journaling rather than big display letters. Its widest nib is 1.9 mm, less than a third of the Parallel’s 6.0 mm, so it suits everyday italic handwriting.
LAMY says the joy’s grip and overall design come from the LAMY safari. The safari takes push-on steel nibs, including 1.1 and 1.5 mm italics sold separately, so a safari owner can try italic writing without a new pen. Our fountain pen nib sizes guide lists LAMY’s italic widths next to stubs from other makers.
Which brush pen is easiest for brush calligraphy?
A firm tip: the Fudenosuke hard tip first, then the Touch Sign Pen for smaller writing. Firm tips bend less, so stroke width changes slowly with pressure, which is easier to control.
The Kuretake Fudegokochi suits Japanese-style writing such as addresses on envelopes. Kuretake says its brush-style tip is easy for people who find a real brush pen hard.
Where are these pens made?
Five of the six are listed as made in Japan or Germany; the Pigma Calligrapher’s origin isn’t stated. Pilot, Tombow, Pentel and Kuretake are Japanese makers, and LAMY’s India storefront lists Germany for the joy.
Frequently asked questions
Which Pilot Parallel size should a beginner buy?
Pilot doesn't name one. A 3.8 mm or 2.4 mm pen is big enough to show the thick and thin strokes of a broad-edge hand clearly; US four-pen sets include 1.5, 2.4, 3.8 and 6.0 mm, so you can try them all.
Is a brush pen or a chisel pen better for learning calligraphy?
It depends on the style. Chisel (broad-edge) pens such as the Pilot Parallel teach italic, gothic and roundhand; brush pens such as the Tombow Fudenosuke teach modern brush script, where pressure makes thick downstrokes.
Can you use any fountain pen for calligraphy?
Not with an ordinary round nib, which writes a uniform line. You need an italic or stub nib, such as the LAMY joy's 1.1 to 1.9 mm steel calligraphy nibs; LAMY also sells 1.1 and 1.5 mm italic nibs for the safari.
What ink does the Pilot Parallel use?
Pilot's own Parallel Pen cartridges, sold in 12 colors in Japan at ¥250 (about US$1.60) a pack before tax. The pen comes with a black and a red cartridge, a cleaning pipette and a paper-dust cleaner.
Is the Sakura Pigma Calligrapher waterproof?
Sakura of America says its archival Pigma pigment ink is waterproof and fade-resistant on most papers, in six colors. It isn't refillable.
Are calligraphy pens good for left-handers?
LAMY says the joy suits left-handers, and brush pens such as the Fudenosuke don't depend on a fixed nib angle. With chisel nibs, many left-handers turn the page or write from below the line.
What paper should beginners use for calligraphy practice?
Smooth, heavier paper that doesn't feather. Sakura suggests breaking a new Pigma Calligrapher in on smooth paper and writing with a few sheets underneath as a cushion.
Pilot Parallel Pen, 3.8 mm
Sakura Pigma Calligrapher
LAMY joy calligraphy fountain pen
Tombow Fudenosuke Brush Pen
Pentel Touch Sign Pen
Kuretake ZIG Fudegokochi brush pen