Ohto is a historic Japanese company known for its innovation in writing instruments. Founded in 1919 by Nakata Touzaburo, a former employee of the Ministry of Finance, the company originally focused on the manufacture of dyes and ink. Touzaburo had invented a special ink intended for use on banknotes, but after the Ministry rejected his idea, he decided to pursue it independently by founding a company called "Nakata-Ohka-do" in Tokyo.

The company underwent a major transformation in 1949, when it shifted its focus to pen manufacturing. That year, Ohto produced Japan’s first ballpoint pen, and more notably, the world’s first ballpoint pen to use a chrome ball. This innovation marked the company"s entry into the global pen industry and set a precedent for future developments in writing technology.

Over time, Nakata-Ohka-do was renamed to Ohto, and it became well known for blending traditional Japanese craftsmanship with modern engineering, producing a wide range of high-quality writing instruments.