Hongdian N23 Rabbit Year Fountain Pen vs Kita-Boshi Otona No Enpitsu WA Style Review: The UK's Best Limited Design Writing Instruments 2026
Jul 01, 2026
Hongdian N23 Rabbit Year Fountain Pen vs Kita-Boshi Otona No Enpitsu WA Style Review: The UK's Best Limited Design Writing Instruments 2026
The finest writing instruments celebrate craftsmanship, culture, and the art of writing itself. In this review, we compare two outstanding culturally-inspired writing instruments: the Hongdian N23 Rabbit Year Fountain Pen, a limited edition pen celebrating the Chinese Zodiac Year of the Rabbit, and the Kita-Boshi Otona No Enpitsu WA Style 2.0mm, a beautifully crafted Japanese mechanical pencil drawing on traditional WA (harmony) aesthetics. Both are available from TTPEN UK.
Hongdian N23 Rabbit Year — A Fountain Pen That Celebrates the Year of the Rabbit
The Hongdian N23 Rabbit Year Fountain Pen is a limited edition fountain pen celebrating the Chinese Zodiac Year of the Rabbit. At £45.00, it represents Hongdian’s finest craftsmanship applied to a culturally significant theme — a pen that is both a superb writing instrument and a collectible work of art.
The Rabbit Year Design
The N23 Rabbit Year’s design is inspired by the symbolism of the Year of the Rabbit — elegance, grace, and good fortune. The pen’s barrel and cap feature carefully crafted design elements celebrating the rabbit theme, with a sophisticated colour palette that evokes the rabbit’s qualities of grace and refinement. The overall design is understated and elegant, appealing to those who appreciate cultural symbolism expressed through beautiful design.
Hongdian’s Fountain Pen Excellence
Hongdian has established itself as one of China’s most respected fountain pen manufacturers. The N23 platform features excellent balance, a comfortable grip, and a smooth steel nib with good ink flow and no hard starts. The pen accepts standard international cartridges or a converter, giving access to the full range of fountain pen inks. At £45.00, it is a considered investment in a pen that will be treasured for years.
Price: £45.00 — Buy the Hongdian N23 Rabbit Year at TTPEN UK
Kita-Boshi Otona No Enpitsu WA Style — Japanese Harmony in a 2mm Mechanical Pencil
The Kita-Boshi Pencil Otona No Enpitsu WA Style 2.0mm draws on Japan’s rich tradition of WA — the concept of harmony and beauty that underpins Japanese aesthetics. At £14.00, it is a beautifully crafted 2mm mechanical pencil incorporating traditional Japanese visual elements into its barrel design.
The WA Style Design
The WA Style incorporates traditional Japanese visual elements — patterns, colours, and motifs from Japan’s rich decorative arts tradition — into the pencil’s barrel. The result is a pencil immediately recognisable as Japanese in its aesthetic, with beauty rooted in cultural tradition. For those who appreciate Japanese aesthetics, the WA Style is the more culturally resonant choice compared to the standard Otona No Enpitsu.
The 2mm Mechanical Pencil Format
The WA Style uses a 2mm lead — significantly thicker than conventional mechanical pencil leads — providing a writing and drawing experience closer to a traditional wooden pencil, with broader strokes and richer graphite deposit. The lead can be sharpened to a fine point using the built-in sharpener, giving versatility of both broad and fine marks. At £14.00, it’s exceptional value for a beautifully designed mechanical pencil with cultural significance.
Price: £14.00 — Buy the Kita-Boshi WA Style at TTPEN UK
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Hongdian N23 Rabbit Year | Kita-Boshi WA Style 2mm |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £45.00 | £14.00 |
| Type | Fountain pen | 2mm mechanical pencil |
| Design Theme | Chinese Zodiac — Year of the Rabbit | Japanese WA (harmony) aesthetics |
| Best For | Collectors, fountain pen lovers, gifting | Japanese aesthetics fans, artists, gifting |
Which Is Right for You?
The Hongdian N23 Rabbit Year is for fountain pen enthusiasts who want a culturally significant limited edition pen. The Kita-Boshi WA Style is for those who appreciate Japanese aesthetics and want a beautifully designed 2mm mechanical pencil.
Both available from TTPEN UK with fast UK delivery.
Final Verdict
The N23 wins on fountain pen performance and collector appeal; the WA Style wins on Japanese aesthetic beauty and value. Both earn our highest recommendation. Visit TTPEN UK today.
