pen it down

So one rainy day, much like today (I would seriously appreciate it if the tsunami just did it's thing and moved on), Jess and I made a visit to Asakusa (home of the golden turd) just for the sake of getting out. While there we visited a few shrines, as well as the (read: tourist trap) Nakamise (a street lined with super cool, "authentic" souvenirs). But I think one of my favorite photos of the outing is this one. Jess was busy navigating, turning our mini map in circles, so I grabbed the camera and took a few pictures of these.

I've seen these elsewhere since, several times actually, and to this day I'm not entirely sure what they are. I think they might be pen lids? Sounds strange, but they take pens seriously here. I saw one Japanese lady sit down on the subway with her Coach purse and shopping bags full of stuff, take out this long skinny zipper (Coach) pouch, and pull out...her pen.

But to be honest, I don't know what they are. Just that they make for a pretty picture. :)