--- title: "Raymay Fujii Penpass: The Compass That Writes" canonical: "https://stationerytimes.com/guides/raymay-penpass/" description: "Raymay Fujii Penpass, a 2026 Good Design Award winner: a pen-shaped compass with a retractable needle, 2 mm or 0.5 mm lead, 30 cm circles, prices and US stock." category: "Accessories" type: "Compass" published: 2026-10-23 updated: 2026-10-23 author: "Ellis Penhale" publisher: "Stationery Times" sources: 5 products: - name: "Raymay Fujii Penpass pen-shaped compass, sharp type, black (JC1430B; lead type JC1429)" brand: "Raymay Fujii" brand_origin: "Japan" made_in: "Not stated" material: "Zinc die-cast legs; PP cap; ABS knob; POM knurl or knock (Raymay Fujii)" released: "2026-06" price_band: "$$$ ($20–75 per item, typical US retail, October 2026)" manufacturer: "Raymay Fujii Co., Ltd. (株式会社レイメイ藤井)" model: "JC1430B" mpn: "JC1430B" url: "https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000081.000144194.html" --- # Raymay Fujii Penpass: The Compass That Writes > The Raymay Fujii Penpass is a pen-shaped compass, 12 × 133 × 17 mm closed, that draws circles up to about 30 cm across. The 2026 model retracts its needle with a knock, so it also writes like a pencil. It comes in 2 mm lead (JC1429) and 0.5 mm sharp (JC1430) types and won a 2026 Good Design Award. - URL: https://stationerytimes.com/guides/raymay-penpass/ - Category: Accessories - Author: Ellis Penhale - Published: 2026-10-23 - Updated: 2026-10-23 ![Raymay Fujii Penpass sharp type in black, closed like a pen and drawn to scale at 133 mm, with an inset of the retractable needle](https://stationerytimes.com/images/raster/raymay-penpass-16x9.png) *The Penpass at 133 mm, drawn at 1 mm = 5 px from Raymay Fujii's sizes; part lengths drawn by eye.* Original drawing (SVG): . Drawings © 2026 Stationery Times, reusable with credit under CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). ## Product facts | Product | Brand | Brand origin | Made in | Material | Released | Price range (typical US retail, October 2026) | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | Raymay Fujii Penpass pen-shaped compass, sharp type, black (JC1430B; lead type JC1429) | Raymay Fujii (by Raymay Fujii Co., Ltd. (株式会社レイメイ藤井)) | Japan | Not stated | Zinc die-cast legs; PP cap; ABS knob; POM knurl or knock (Raymay Fujii) | 2026-06 | $$$: $20–75 per item | - Made in (Raymay Fujii Penpass pen-shaped compass, sharp type, black (JC1430B; lead type JC1429)): Not stated. Raymay Fujii's May 25, 2026 release and the G Mark entry give sizes, weights, materials and prices but no country of manufacture. ## Key takeaways - Raymay Fujii lists both types at W12 × H133 × D17 mm with a largest circle of about 30 cm (11.8 in). - The lead type JC1429 weighs 32 g and costs ¥1,210 (about US$7.70); the sharp type JC1430 weighs 28 g and costs ¥1,320 (about US$8.40), tax included. - The renewal went on sale in late June 2026; the Penpass line itself dates from 2007, Raymay Fujii says. - It won a Good Design Award 2026 (26G030123); the judges liked the one-touch needle in place of a protective cap. - On October 23, 2026 Amazon.com listed the new JC1430B and JC1429B from import sellers, in our $$$ band ($20–75). ## What is the Raymay Fujii Penpass? **It's a drawing compass that folds into the shape of a pen, so it fits in a pencil case.** Raymay Fujii, a Tokyo stationery maker, has sold the Penpass since 2007 and gave it a full model change in late June 2026. Earlier models protected the point with a cap. The new one adds a needle knock (針ノック式): slide the button down and the needle comes out, slide it up and it disappears. ## What changed in the 2026 model? **The retractable needle, and with it the ability to write: with the needle stowed and only the lead showing, the closed Penpass works as a pencil.** Raymay Fujii also kept the black, easy-to-see needle and the automatic centering of earlier models. The lead type's renewal adds a knurled ring that adjusts the lead length, leads 1.5 times longer than before, and a lead sharpener in the lid of the refill case, Raymay Fujii says. ## What are the two types? **A 2 mm lead type and a 0.5 mm sharp type, the same size but different leads, weights and colors.** | Penpass | Lead type | Sharp type | |---|---|---| | Model | JC1429B/K/PG/S | JC1430B/M/V/W | | Lead | 2 mm, about 37 mm long, 3 included | 0.5 mm, about 60 mm, 1 included | | Lead feed | Twist the knurled ring | Side knock | | Weight | 32 g | 28 g | | Size | 12 × 133 × 17 mm (0.5 × 5.2 × 0.7 in) | Same | | Largest circle | About 30 cm (11.8 in) | Same | | Colors | Black, navy, pink gold, silver | Black, khaki green, violet, white | | Japan price, incl. tax | ¥1,210 (about US$7.70) | ¥1,320 (about US$8.40) | Codes and prices are from Raymay Fujii's release; weights and lead lengths from the G Mark entry. The JC1499 refill holds three 2 mm leads for ¥220 (about US$1.40). ![Raymay Fujii Penpass, 133 mm closed, drawn inside a circle about 300 mm across, its largest, with notes on the two types](https://stationerytimes.com/images/raymay-penpass-circle.svg) *A 133 mm compass that draws a circle more than twice its length.* ## What award did it win? **A Good Design Award 2026, award number 26G030123.** The judges noted that the one-touch retractable needle makes it safer and easier to use than a capped point, and that it closes into a cylinder you can write with like any pen. See all 23 [Good Design Award 2026 stationery winners](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/good-design-award-2026-stationery-winners/). ## How do you use it as a compass? **Take off the cap, knock the needle out, then open the two legs to the radius you want.** Raymay Fujii says the cap protects both the needle and the lead point, and the needle knock means the point no longer needs the cap to be safe. The release also keeps the automatic centering device (自動中心器) of earlier models. Raymay Fujii doesn't publish step-by-step instructions, so knock the needle back in before you write or put it away. ## Which type should you choose? **Pick the sharp type for fine, even lines in math class; pick the lead type for a bolder line and fewer broken leads.** Raymay Fujii says the 2 mm lead resists snapping under pressure and suits both drafting and pencil-like writing. The sharp type takes ordinary 0.5 mm lead, the same as most [mechanical pencils](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/best-mechanical-pencils/), so refills are easy to find in the US. For a pen case that suits it, see Raymay Fujii's [DETECOOL pen case](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/raymay-detecool-pen-case/). ## Can you buy it in the US? **Yes, as an import.** On October 23, 2026 Amazon.com listed the new sharp type (JC1430B) and lead type (JC1429B) in black from import sellers, at prices in our $$$ band ($20–75), far above the Japanese price. Older Penpass models also appear on Amazon.com under the Japanese name; check for the JC1429 or JC1430 code to get the 2026 needle-knock version. ## Where is the Penpass made? **Raymay Fujii doesn't say on the pages we read.** Its release and the G Mark entry give no country of manufacture. Raymay Fujii, founded in 1890, is based in Koto, Tokyo. ## Frequently asked questions ### How big a circle can the Penpass draw? About 30 cm (11.8 in) in diameter, for both the lead and the sharp type, per Raymay Fujii. ### What lead does the Penpass use? The lead type JC1429 uses 2 mm leads about 37 mm long (refill JC1499, three leads); the sharp type JC1430 takes standard 0.5 mm mechanical pencil lead. ### Can you write with the Penpass? Yes. Knock the needle in and extend only the lead, and the closed compass works as a lead holder or mechanical pencil, Raymay Fujii says. ### Which Penpass should I buy? The sharp type for even, fine lines in schoolwork; the lead type for a softer, pencil-like line and a lead that resists snapping, with a sharpener in its refill case lid. ### What colors does the Penpass come in? The lead type in black, navy, pink gold and silver; the sharp type in black, khaki green, violet and white, per Raymay Fujii. ### Is the Penpass made in Japan? Raymay Fujii doesn't say on the pages we read. It is a Tokyo company founded in 1890; check the package for the country of manufacture. ## Sources - [Raymay Fujii via PR TIMES: ペン型コンパス『ペンパス』がフルモデルチェンジ (May 25, 2026; codes, prices, sizes, lead specs)](https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000081.000144194.html) - [G Mark gallery: ペンパス, Good Design Award 2026 (26G030123; weights, materials, release June 2026)](https://www.g-mark.org/gallery/winners/34511) - [Amazon.com: Raymay Fujii JC1430B Compass, Pen Pass, Sharp Type (listing seen October 23, 2026)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H6ZQ92KX) - [Amazon.com: Raymay Fujii JC1429B Compass, Pen Pass, Lead Type (listing seen October 23, 2026)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H6ZVVML1) - [JDP, GOOD DESIGN AWARD: 2026年度受賞結果](https://www.g-mark.org/learn/past-awards/gda-2026/results)