Your shūji lessons used a fountain pen instead of a traditional brush? That's interesting. The writing is very different. So much better, in my opinion. This Pilot Elite is one of my favorites. It's so nice to use.

Later I found out—much to my shock—that my father had received the exact same pen from the company he retired from about 20 years earlier

haha that's a pretty big coincidence! But I'm sure he doesn't mind having two of them. Montblanc pens are pretty nice.