It’s hard to tell which part is most implausible: the years-long queue, the nitrocellulose, the true sepia ink, or the fact that one of the world’s largest companies made room for him.

There’s a certain appeal to Nakaya that’s hard to describe. At its essence, a Nakaya is a Platinum 3776. But far from it, it is.

As the anecdote goes, the scene takes place inside Pilot’s headquarters in Tokyo. A meeting of executives. A new Capless model being introduced.

Traveler’s Company, a division of Midori, has built a remarkably loyal following around a single product: the Traveler’s Notebook.