Naturally, a web mosey that started with a search to try to identify the exact color of a Staedtler fineliner ended (temporarily) at this Reddit post about these “Japanese Prayer Pencils“:
I have a few prayer/shrine/good luck pencils—I’ve seen them called all of these things and more—somewhere, but none that are as attractive as these!
According to Google translate, the writing on the pencils, from top to bottom (I suspect the translation could use some tweaks):
- It’s difficult.
- Don’t rely on others. If you do it yourself, it will come true.
- Don’t be in a hurry, don’t be in a hurry.
- Self-contained accommodation is from effort.
- Your own way of work?
And the packaging reads:
Overcoming obstacles
academic achievement pencil
Konikatsu
(I can’t make any more sense of the last word than Translate does, which isn’t much)
Funnily enough, this specific pencil was apparently sold at Pier 1 Imports (RIP) at some point:
Not only that, but it looks like Pier 1 sold some other attractive pencils too, such as this good-looking set (as the video title says, who knew?):
I’d love to get some of the first pencils for myself, but my searches haven’t turned up anything current.
If you know of a source, I’d appreciate you letting me know!