Zebra is a Japanese stationery brand built on the belief that writing by hand remains essential to human communication and creativity. For over a century, the company has focused on creating writing instruments that feel reliable, intuitive, and comfortable for everyday use.
The name “Zebra” reflects the values at the heart of the brand. Inspired by the zebra, an animal known for its gentleness and strength through cooperation, founder Tokumatsu Ishikawa chose the symbol to represent unity, harmony, and collective effort. He believed meaningful progress could only be achieved through working together, and that writing instruments, though simple in form, play an important role in cultural development.
This philosophy is also expressed in Zebra’s brand mark. The trademarked logo depicts a zebra facing backward, symbolizing the idea of learning from the past to create something new. This mindset continues to guide Zebra’s manufacturing approach: respecting tradition while carefully refining materials, mechanisms, and design to meet the needs of changing times.
Today, Zebra remains true to the principles it was founded on, producing thoughtfully designed writing tools that support clarity, creativity, and human connection. As technology evolves and writing habits change, the brand continues to develop stationery that feels relevant and familiar, staying grounded in the values that have shaped Zebra from the beginning.
How the Brand Began
Zebra was founded in 1897 by Tokumatsu Ishikawa during a period when handwritten communication played a central role in education, business, and daily life in Japan. The company began by manufacturing pen nibs, focusing on durability and consistency, qualities that were essential at a time when writing tools were used intensively and expected to last.
From its earliest days, Zebra positioned itself as a company that supported cultural and educational development through reliable writing instruments. This commitment laid the groundwork for the brand’s later expansion into ballpoint pens, gel pens, mechanical pencils, and markers. As society and writing habits evolved, Zebra continued to refine its products while remaining anchored in the principles established at its founding.
Today, those early values still shape Zebra’s identity. The brand’s long history is not treated as a relic of the past, but as a foundation for thoughtful improvement, ensuring that each new generation of writing tools reflects both accumulated experience and contemporary needs.
A Timeline of Steady Innovation
Foundations of Zebra (1897–1950s)
Zebra’s journey began in 1897, when founder Tokumatsu Ishikawa successfully developed Japan’s first domestically produced steel pen nib. At a time when writing tools were largely imported, this achievement laid the foundation for Japan’s own writing instrument industry.
In 1914, the pen nibs were named “Zebra,” and the now-familiar zebra trademark was adopted, establishing the brand’s identity around unity, cooperation, and shared purpose.
After the war, Zebra entered a new era of technological development. In 1959, the company succeeded in creating long-lasting ballpoint pen ink and began full-scale ballpoint pen production. This expansion continued with the introduction of three-color ballpoint pens and sign pens, marking Zebra’s transition into modern writing instruments.
Everyday Tools That Shaped the Brand (1970s)
The 1970s saw Zebra introduce products that would become everyday essentials. Brush pens and highlighters expanded the lineup, but one release would define the era.
1976: Hi-Mackee
Zebra launched Hi-Mackee, Japan’s first dual-tip oil-based marker. Designed for versatility and durability, it quickly became a long-selling staple used across classrooms, offices, and creative spaces, and remains one of Zebra’s most recognizable products today.
In 1977, Zebra also released the Sharbo, a multifunctional pen combining a ballpoint pen and mechanical pencil, responding to growing demand for practical, space-saving stationery.
Technology and Global Expansion (1980s–1990s)
During the 1980s and 1990s, Zebra deepened its focus on ink technology and performance. Innovations such as the Twin Ball System, a world-first mechanism designed to prevent ink backflow, demonstrated Zebra’s commitment to improving writing reliability at a technical level.
This period also marked Zebra’s expansion beyond Japan, with overseas operations established in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Mexico, signaling its transition into a global brand.
Defining Modern Zebra (2000s)
Entering the 2000s, Zebra introduced products that continue to define the brand today. The release of the SARASA gel pen in 2000, followed by the SARASA Clip in 2003, set new standards for smooth gel ink writing paired with practical design.
SARASA Grand
As a refined evolution of the SARASA series, SARASA Grand features a premium metal body and vintage-inspired ink colors. Designed for those who prefer a more elevated writing experience, it brings subtle character and clarity to everyday writing.
Comfort, Control, and Color (2010s)
In the 2010s, Zebra placed greater emphasis on writing comfort and reducing everyday stress. Products like Surari, featuring emulsion ink that blends the smoothness of oil-based ink with the clarity of water-based ink, addressed common frustrations such as skipping and uneven flow.
This focus on reliability continued with the DelGuard series, designed to eliminate one of the most frequent writing issues: broken leads.
A standout example is the DelGuard +2C Multi Pen, which combines DelGuard’s pressure-responsive anti-break mechanical pencil with two smooth emulsion-ink ballpoint pens in one compact body. Adaptation to writing angle and pressure, it allows for uninterrupted writing and effortless color switching, making it an ideal tool for long study sessions, workdays, and everyday note-taking.
Adapting to Modern Lifestyles (2019–Present)
In recent years, Zebra has continued to respond to changing lifestyles and creative needs.
Clickart
Released with a unique moisture-absorbing ink system, Clickart prevents marker tips from drying out without the need for a cap, offering vivid yet gentle colors well-suited for note-taking and creative planning.
Sharbo Nu
Building on the Sharbo legacy, Sharbo Nu reimagines the multifunction pen with a refined rotating mechanism and improved balance, designed for ease of use in everyday work and travel.
Alongside these products, Zebra has invested in new factories, expanded its international operations, and strengthened its manufacturing infrastructure. With leadership transitions and continued innovation in the 2020s, Zebra remains committed to supporting a writing culture while adapting to modern lifestyles.
Legacy of Zebra
From its origins as a maker of steel pen nibs to its role as a global stationery brand, Zebra’s history is defined by steady progress and thoughtful refinement. Each stage of the brand’s evolution reflects a consistent focus on usability, reliability, and respect for the act of writing itself.
Rather than pursuing dramatic change, Zebra has built its reputation by responding carefully to how people write, think, and work. As writing habits continue to evolve, Zebra remains committed to supporting handwriting as a meaningful form of expression, developing tools that feel familiar, purposeful, and quietly dependable, while staying true to the values that have guided the brand for more than a century.
