1791.

The Golden Age of Japanese Pencils, 1952-1967

notes.stlartsupply.com/the-golden-age-of-japanese-pencils-1952-1967

Actually, complete history of innovation in pencils in Japan. For some years I wanted to get my hands on one of these, but it was hard to justify it. I have so many pencils left over from school days, my pencil consumption rate, which is probably higher than yours, is low, and I'll probably never finish them all. But maybe there's truly some magic in those Mitsu-Bishis?

Archive copies