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Asa-Gao - Pilot Iroshizuku

visvamitra

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visvamitra Antique

visvamitra

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Posted

In December 2007 Pilot's created exclusive line of inks called Iroshizuku. I believe they may well be the most well known fountain pen inks in pen world. These inks are supposed to work in any pen with any nib on any paper and in any situation. I haven't tried all of them but so far the Iroshizuku inks I've tried were behaving flawlessly.



The colors were created by Kiyomi Hasegawa who after fifteen years of working in a stationary shop and communicating with Clients come to conclusion that not all fountain pen users are willing to write in black and blue. Wise woman.



https://www.youtube....bnDlQCFh8#t=127




The bottles are stunning although they have their issues: if the ink is left unused for some time the cap tends to stick and break when you try to twist it open. It happened to my bottle of Shin-Ryoku.



Anyway Iroshizuku line of inks counts 24 "standard" colors. Three inks were made some time ago for Tokyo stores: Edo-Murasaki, Fukagawa-Nezu and Shimbashi-Iro.After seeing the scans over blogosphere I wish these three were accesible, because they look interesting. Edo - Murasaki looks cool while Murasaki - Shikibu is of no interest to me. Even though I kind of like Fuyu-Syogun I find Fukagawa-Nezu more compelling.



Nothing indicates Pilot plans on extending the official line any time soon (if ever) so let's take a look at what's possible to obtain from dealers and online shops.




http://imageshack.com/a/img538/1595/lYAayJ.jpg



I don't have all of the inks but sooner or later I'll try to check them all. With time I'll review all of them (hopefully).



  1. Ajisai
  2. Ama-Iro
  3. Asa-Gao
  4. Chiku-Rin
  5. Fuyu-Gaki
  6. Fuyu-Syogun
  7. Ina-Ho
  8. Kiri-Same
  9. Kon-Peki
  10. Kosumosu
  11. Ku-Jaku
  12. Momiji
  13. Murasaki-Shikibu
  14. Shin-Kai
  15. Shin-Ryoku
  16. Syo-Ro
  17. Take-Sumi
  18. Tsuki-Yo
  19. Tsukushi
  20. Tsutsuji
  21. Tsuyu-Kusa
  22. Yama-Budo
  23. Yama-Guri
  24. Yu-Yake


Let's take a look at asa-gao



Bottle


http://imageshack.com/a/img537/1182/Wa2XfE.jpg




Asa-gao is nice and pleasant shade of blue inspired by the color of morning glory flower (ipomoea)



http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/45/Morning_glory.jpg/1024px-Morning_glory.jpg



The ink behawes flawlessly and allows to enjoy wet, saturated line form the nibs I used. It's not 100 % pure blue, as chromatography reveals there some minor red component to it.



http://imageshack.com/a/img905/1838/C9ajhf.jpg



After one minute of soaking the text is still legible.



http://imageshack.com/a/img538/4994/hD6FWC.jpg



Ink splash



http://imageshack.com/a/img673/9168/HD7zCM.jpg




Drops of ink on kitchen towel



http://imageshack.com/a/img540/4243/GiRRga.jpg




Software ID




http://imageshack.com/a/img631/2884/wwP8ST.jpg



Color range



http://imageshack.com/a/img537/1776/NanpyU.jpg




Oxford Recycled ( 90g, satined paper), Kaweco Classic Sport, zakraplacz, stalówka w rozmiarze B



http://imageshack.com/a/img538/2585/K6dqAv.jpg





http://imageshack.com/a/img908/584/Gl5YEC.jpg





http://imageshack.com/a/img661/4762/PLAkbC.jpg



Hero 5028, stub 1,9



http://imageshack.com/a/img661/4496/2rRV5m.jpg



http://imageshack.com/a/img905/6830/MAuWW4.jpg



Poljet 80, Hero 5028, stub 1,9 i Kaweco Sport Classic, B



http://imageshack.com/a/img538/3030/NyYgG7.jpg



http://imageshack.com/a/img537/1944/yggq11.jpg



Comparison



http://imageshack.com/a/img905/6489/w0RGxE.jpg



https://wondernaut.wordpress.com/

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J_Rock Mint

J_Rock

Posted
Posted (edited)

Very nice and informative review. I find this ink to be very close to Waterman Serenity Blue depending on the pen. I have an Edison Collier with a cursive italic nib I had Brian tune to be on the wet side. This pen makes the two inks look a lot alike.

Edited by J_Rock
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Penman222 Vintage

Penman222

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The review looks right on. I use Asa-gao as my daily writer in a Twsbi journal. It is pretty saturated and has a great flow, nearly a perfect ink. Love the color too!!!

 

 

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senzen Antique

senzen

Posted
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Another great review, and yeah, those shots look spot on, even if it comes out a little darker from a Muji. Asa Gao really shines on Clairefontaine and HP 23lb laser paper.

"The trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure and the intelligent are full of doubt."

 

B. Russell

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wastelanded Collectors Item

wastelanded

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I've tried so hard to like this one, but it just rubs me the wrong way. To me it's a "close-talker" of an ink. Excellent review though, as always.

 

Tip: To prevent said sticking of cap, wipe the threads clean before putting the cap back on. I find baby wipes perfect for this. I had to run my bottle of Tsuki-yo under a warm tap to loosen it, and ruined the nice label.

"I was cut off from the world. There was no one to confuse or torment me, and I was forced to become original." - Franz Joseph Haydn 1732 - 1809
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Nibbler Mint

Nibbler

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Posted

I haven't been able to justify the price of Iroshizuku (with Diamine around the corner), but I am 50 this year, so maybe a birthday pressie? I think this might be first for me to try. Excellent review, thank you.

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gylyf Collectors Item

gylyf

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I've tried so hard to like this one, but it just rubs me the wrong way. To me it's a "close-talker" of an ink. Excellent review though, as always.

Perfect description of this ink! For some reason, it rubs me the wrong way most of time, though I like it in one specific pen and on Tomoe River, where there's a bit of nice sheen.

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amberleadavis Pen Dust

amberleadavis

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fpn_1439960193__2015-08-18-21-55-59.jpg

Fountain pens are my preferred COLOR DELIVERY SYSTEM (in part because crayons melt in Las Vegas).

Create a Ghostly Avatar and I'll send you a letter. Check out some Ink comparisons: The Great PPS Comparison 

Don't know where to start?  Look at the Inky Topics O'day.  Then, see inks sorted by color: Blue Purple Brown Red Green Dark Green Orange Black Pinks Yellows Blue-Blacks Grey/Gray UVInks Turquoise/Teal MURKY

 

 

 

 

 

 

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amberleadavis Pen Dust

amberleadavis

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Posted

fpn_1439960225__2015-08-18-21-56-06.jpg

Fountain pens are my preferred COLOR DELIVERY SYSTEM (in part because crayons melt in Las Vegas).

Create a Ghostly Avatar and I'll send you a letter. Check out some Ink comparisons: The Great PPS Comparison 

Don't know where to start?  Look at the Inky Topics O'day.  Then, see inks sorted by color: Blue Purple Brown Red Green Dark Green Orange Black Pinks Yellows Blue-Blacks Grey/Gray UVInks Turquoise/Teal MURKY

 

 

 

 

 

 

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amberleadavis Pen Dust

amberleadavis

Posted
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fpn_1439960527__2015-08-18-22-01-37.jpg

Fountain pens are my preferred COLOR DELIVERY SYSTEM (in part because crayons melt in Las Vegas).

Create a Ghostly Avatar and I'll send you a letter. Check out some Ink comparisons: The Great PPS Comparison 

Don't know where to start?  Look at the Inky Topics O'day.  Then, see inks sorted by color: Blue Purple Brown Red Green Dark Green Orange Black Pinks Yellows Blue-Blacks Grey/Gray UVInks Turquoise/Teal MURKY

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Diderot Extremely Rare

Diderot

Posted
Posted

Thanks for the review.

This is my favourite blue ink and one I am yet to tire of.

 

@ Amber - that diluted Sargasso Sea looks nice.

Diluted with water and by but amount?

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KKay Extremely Rare

KKay

Posted
Posted

I am new to this forum, and I must say I love these ink reviews. They are very helpful. I love the writing samples. The kicker though is the sampling of other colors with different brands. Wow. I am very impressed. This blue is already on my list to consider. But now I see the Diamine Kensington Blue, and I just added it to my list too!

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