Miracle Pine Pen

Limited Edition Montblanc Fountain Pen

Luxury marque Montblanc is to sell fountain pens made from a "miracle pine" tree that survived the 2011 tsunami. It was the only tree left standing when a forest of 70,000 was flattened in Rikuzentakata, on Japan's stricken northeastern coast.

When the city finally had to cut down the dying tree, the mayor asked the Japanese unit of the Swiss company to use salvaged wood to make pens to ensure the "disaster remains in people's minds."

Montblanc has made 113 pens -- the figure reflects the 11th of March date of the disaster -- which will go on sale on the fourth anniversary for 520,000 yen ($4,400) each, an official says, with 20 percent of takings being given to the city.

Montblanc Website
(by AFP)