Pilot Kakuno Fountain Pen | Madoromi Periwinkle

Madoromi means "drowsy" in Japanese, and this special Kakuno series is exactly that — soft, dreamy colors inspired by naps and daydreams. The periwinkle is a hazy pastel blue with a slightly translucent milky body, topped with a gold-toned nib — a quiet upgrade from the standard silver that makes the whole pen feel a little more special.

"In the morning still in bed, in the time before a nap, and in the cozy late night. Journal with a fountain pen in a dozy mood."

— printed on the side of the box

Underneath the dreamy colors, it's still the Kakuno we hand to everyone: one of the easiest, most approachable fountain pens you can pick up, whether it's your first or your fifteenth. Lightweight, comfortable, and thoughtfully designed, it features a hexagonal grip that naturally guides finger placement and a cheerful nib "smile" that helps orient the pen correctly as you write. It's simple in the best way: reliable ink flow, smooth writing, and no learning curve.

Details:

• Smooth gold-toned stainless steel nib, exclusive to the Madoromi series
• Slightly translucent pastel body in a soft periwinkle blue
• Hexagonal shape prevents rolling and improves control
• Refillable with Pilot ink cartridges or converter
• Available in Fine and Medium

The periwinkle is the shade of a sky that can't decide if it's morning yet — a pen for slow starts and long lists. Easy to use, hard to outgrow, and dressed for dreaming.

The Madoromi series also comes in a misty grey and a faded blush pink, if periwinkle isn't your shade of drowsy.

Specs

• Length: about 5.1 inches capped (13 cm); posts to about 6.3 inches
• Weight: about 11 grams — light enough to disappear in your hand during long journaling sessions
• Nib: gold-toned stainless steel in Fine or Medium (Japanese sizing — see below)
• Cap: snap-on, and yes, it posts
• Fills with Pilot ink cartridges (one black cartridge included) or a Pilot CON-40 or CON-70 converter for bottled ink (converter sold separately)
• Made in Japan

FAQ

Which nib size should I pick?

Japanese nibs run about one size finer than Western ones — a Pilot Fine writes closer to a Western Extra Fine. If you like a crisp, precise line or write small, go Fine. If you want a little more ink on the page and smoother color from your inks, go Medium.

What makes the Madoromi different from the regular Kakuno?

Two things: the soft, slightly translucent pastel colors, and the gold-toned nib — the standard Kakuno's nib is silver. Same friendly pen underneath, just dressed up. Pilot introduced the Madoromi colors at the end of 2024, and they're part of the regular lineup rather than a limited run — though they can be hard to keep in stock.

Can I use bottled ink with it?

Yes — add a Pilot CON-40 or CON-70 converter and the whole world of bottled ink opens up. If you'd rather keep things simple, it takes Pilot cartridges too — it pairs beautifully with our Iroshizuku asa-gao cartridges, a classic morning-glory blue that looks exactly right in a periwinkle pen. Or browse all six Iroshizuku cartridge colors and pick your own pairing.

How do I load an ink cartridge?

Unscrew the barrel, point the cartridge's bigger end toward the nib, and press until it clicks. We walk through the whole two-minute process, photos included, in our step-by-step guide: How to Load Your Pilot Kakuno with an Ink Cartridge.