Nikko Nihonji Pen Nib (N-555): The Even-Line Starter

A single Nikko Nihonji dip-pen nib drawn very large from above: a narrow shank flaring into a spoon-shaped silver steel body with a long slot — A Nikko Nihonji nib, enlarged and not to scale; Tachikawa gives no nib size, so the shape is drawn by eye from its product photos. Original illustration made for this guide. © Stationery Times.

Product facts

Product

Nikko Nihonji Pen Nib (N-555)

Brand

Nikko

Brand origin

Japan

Made in

Japan^*

Good for

Price range

$under $5 per item

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Notes on these facts

Made by Tachikawa Pin Mfg. Co., Ltd. (Tachikawa). Made in Japan: Tachikawa's Mie factory page (Japanese) says its products come from that factory and that it keeps key work, such as the hand-sharpened blades that cut the nib slit, in Japan as far as it can. It also says sourcing materials abroad is common and it is no exception, so the steel's origin is not stated. Source. Price: example listing.
How we test and disclose samples: How we test stationery.
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

Tachikawa lists the Nikko Nihonji at ¥400 (about US$2.50) for a bag of 3 nibs before tax on November 2, 2026, about ¥133 (about US$0.84) a nib.
Tachikawa's FAQ names the Nihonji as the nib for people new to dip pens, because it doesn't catch on the paper in any direction.
Tachikawa says the line is neither thick nor thin and cannot be varied, and its FAQ recommends the Nihonji and the Saji, 2 nibs in all, for dip-pen penmanship.
Tachikawa shows the 10-nib and 100-nib packs as sales ended; the 3-nib bag (N555-3) is the pack still priced.
Tachikawa says its Nikko nibs are made softer than its Tachikawa-brand nibs, so they bend more easily.

What is the Nikko Nihonji pen nib?

It is a flat steel dip nib that writes a medium, even line, sold under the Nikko name by Tachikawa. Tachikawa’s page says the line is neither thick nor thin and has none of the quirks peculiar to dip nibs.

Tachikawa Pin Mfg. says it began in 1935 as a maker of steel pen nibs, pins and clips. Nihonji is Japanese for Japanese characters, and Tachikawa lists the nib for manga characters, backgrounds and effect lines as well as for penmanship. We read its Japanese pages on November 2, 2026 and translated them.

Nikko Nihonji pen nib specs

Spec	Nikko Nihonji (N-555)
Pack still priced	N555-3 (3 nibs in a bag)
List price before tax	¥400 (about US$2.50) for 3
Packs shown as sales ended	N555-10 (10 nibs) and N555-100 (100 nibs)
Line	Medium and even, no line variation
Suggested use	Manga characters, backgrounds, effect lines
Nib size, weight, metal	Not stated on Tachikawa’s page
Maker	Tachikawa Pin Mfg. Co., Ltd., Mie factory, Japan

Tachikawa’s price excludes tax and was read on November 2, 2026. That is about ¥133 (about US$0.84) a nib. Tachikawa doesn’t name the metal.

Is the Nihonji the best nib for a beginner?

Tachikawa says it is. Its FAQ answers “which nib suits a dip-pen beginner?” with the Nihonji: you can draw up, down, left or right without it catching on the paper, and it has no quirks, so it is easy to handle.

The same answer warns that dip pens take a long time to master, and that the G in particular needs a lot of practice. Our best dip pens for beginners roundup picks a G nib for the pressure control it teaches; Tachikawa’s own advice points the other way for the first hour.

How does the Nihonji write?

A medium line of one width. Tachikawa says you cannot vary it, so there is no hairline and no swell however hard you press.

Three enlarged Nikko nibs with their lines: Maru thin with swell, Nihonji medium and even, G thick with swell — Tachikawa's descriptions of three Nikko nibs as schematic lines, with the Nihonji marked in blue (not to scale). Original illustration made for this guide. © Stationery Times.

Tachikawa gives no line width in millimeters, so the strokes above are schematic. For a thinner line see the Nikko Maru, and for a thicker one the Nikko G.

Can you use the Nihonji for penmanship?

Yes, Tachikawa recommends it. Asked which nib suits someone starting dip-pen handwriting, its FAQ names the Nihonji and the Saji, the two nibs closest to a brush in feel.

It adds that these nibs still take training. Tachikawa doesn’t give a recommended paper or ink.

Who is the Nikko Nihonji for?

It suits people who want an even line for lettering or inking, and Tachikawa also names it for newcomers to dip pens. It costs ¥400 (about US$2.50) for 3 nibs.

Calligraphy and lettering: Tachikawa’s FAQ recommends the Nihonji, one of 2 nibs it names for dip-pen penmanship, for its brush-like feel.
Drawing and sketching: Tachikawa lists the Nihonji, one of its 5 Nikko comic nibs, for manga characters, backgrounds and effect lines.

Skip it if you want line variation: Tachikawa says the Nihonji cannot vary its line.

Which holder does it fit?

Tachikawa’s free-size holders, or its flat-nib holder while stock lasts. The T-25, T-36, T-40 and TAMO wood holders take every Tachikawa and Nikko nib. The N-20 takes flat nibs, which Tachikawa defines as every nib except the Maru, and is sold only while stock lasts.

Where is the Nikko Nihonji made, and how do you buy it?

By Tachikawa in Japan. Tachikawa’s Mie factory page says its products come from that factory and that the blades that cut each nib’s slit are ground by hand.

Only the 3-nib bag is still priced on Tachikawa’s site, so a bigger quantity may mean a retailer’s old stock. We found no US price from a source we can read; yen prices change, so check before you order.

Frequently asked questions

What does Nihonji mean?

It is a Japanese word meaning Japanese characters. Tachikawa uses it as the name of this nib and recommends it for dip-pen penmanship as well as for drawing.

Can the Nikko Nihonji vary its line with pressure?

No. Tachikawa says it cannot vary its line, and describes the nib as free of the quirks of other dip nibs.

Is the Nihonji better than a G nib for a first dip pen?

Tachikawa says so: its FAQ names the Nihonji for beginners and warns that the G needs a lot of practice. Our dip-pen roundup picks a G for the pressure it teaches.

Is the Nihonji good for handwriting practice?

Tachikawa's FAQ recommends the Nihonji and the Saji for dip-pen penmanship, because those two feel closest to a brush. It adds that dip pens need training.

Can you still buy 10 Nihonji nibs?

Tachikawa shows its 10-nib and 100-nib Nihonji packs as sales ended. The 3-nib bag (N555-3) is still priced on its site.

What holder fits the Nikko Nihonji?

Any of Tachikawa's free-size holders (T-25, T-36, T-40, TAMO). It is a flat nib, so Tachikawa's flat-nib holder, the N-20, also fits while stock lasts; the Maru-only N-17 does not.

Where can you buy the Nikko Nihonji in the US?

We found no US price from a source we can read. Tachikawa lists yen prices on its own site and we didn't check its stockists.

Sources (6)

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