Founder, Tokuji Hayakawa, was awarded a patent for the "Tokubijo" snap buckle (he was 18 years old at the time). On September 15, 1912, he established a small metalworking shop in Matsui-cho, Honjo, Tokyo.

Mr. Hayakawa continued to research and improve the techniques for making metal writing instruments, and in 1915, he invented a mechanical pencil that, after further improvements, would take the world by storm. In 1916, Mr. Hayakawa's mechanical pencil was named the "Ever-Ready Sharp Pencil." The present name of the company and its trademark are derived from that product.