Pencil with sculpted tip

Pencil with sculpted tip

KOFU, Japan - Photo taken Jan. 17, 2012, in Kofu, Yamanashi Prefecture, in central Japan, shows a pencil with its graphite tip sculptured into the word ''gokaku,'' meaning passing the exam or selection process. Toshiyuki Yamazaki, a local pencil sculptor, creates and sells the pencil for 8,000 yen (about $104) as a gift for students taking entrance exams or going for job interviews.

Pencil sculptor in Kofu

Pencil sculptor in Kofu

KOFU, Japan - Toshiyuki Yamazaki, a pencil sculptor in Kofu, central Japan, is pictured Jan. 15, 2012, in the Yamanashi Prefecture city with one of his works, a pencil with its graphite tip sculptured into the word ''gokaku,'' meaning passing the exam or selection process. The pencil sells for 8,000 yen (about $104) as a gift for students taking entrance exams or going for job interviews.

Pencil sculptor in Kofu

Pencil sculptor in Kofu

KOFU, Japan - Toshiyuki Yamazaki, a pencil sculptor in Kofu, central Japan, is pictured Jan. 15, 2012, in the Yamanashi Prefecture city with one of his works, a pencil with its graphite tip sculptured into the word ''gokaku,'' meaning passing the exam or selection process. The pencil sells for 8,000 yen (about $104) as a gift for students taking entrance exams or going for job interviews. (Kyodo)

Pencil with sculpted tip

Pencil with sculpted tip

KOFU, Japan - Photo taken Jan. 17, 2012, in Kofu, Yamanashi Prefecture, in central Japan, shows a pencil with its graphite tip sculptured into the word ''gokaku,'' meaning passing the exam or selection process. Toshiyuki Yamazaki, a local pencil sculptor, creates and sells the pencil for 8,000 yen (about $104) as a gift for students taking entrance exams or going for job interviews. (Kyodo)