It was 1926 when the highest authority on maki-e, who was later awarded the title of living national treasure, Gonroku Matsuda (1896–1986) was invited to what is now PILOT. In 1931, he brought together many artists from within and outside the company and organized a group of maki-e masters to research, develop and improve the quality of maki-e fountain pens and to promote mutual friendship between them.

The group was given the name Kokkokai (literally, National Light Society) by Matsuda and one of PILOT’s founders, Ryosuke Namiki. The meaning of the name was derived from their belief that, in the same way as sumo is Japan’s national sport, maki-e was the light of the country, and they aspired to making maki-e shine brightly all over the world.

The sales channels for maki-e fountain pens, which are fashioned using traditional Japanese crafts, having extended to overseas markets, the PILOT brand has been making inroads across the world. At PILOT even now, excellent maki-e artists who were bequeathed and continue Matsuda’s aspirations continue to display their talents, and the names of the artists are inscribed on the artworks they produce.