Pilot Iroshizuku Tokyo Le Inks

[visvamitra]

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.

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. Recently they were reissued to the japanese market. Thanks to Tinnjapan's help I was able to get a threepack of 15 ml bottles. I've played with the inks for few days (since monday) and I will share my reflexions with you.

The inks can be bought in 50 ml glass bottles and in 15 ml bottles. Threepack comes in a plastic box.

Tomoe River, Kaweco Classic Sport, broad nib

Oxford, Kaweco Classic Sport, broad nib

Leuchtturm1917, Kaweco Classic Sport, broad nib

Frankly I feel disappointed with this inks. Shimbashi-iro behaves perfectly well but I dislike the color, Edo-murasaki feels too dry to my taste and Fukagawa-nezu causes me hard-starts in Lamy Al-Star I feel with it (Ruthenium colored one).

All in all you'll easily find more interesting, cheaper and easily available inks in similar hues. I would say this inks are mainly for Ink Hunters & Collectors or fountain pen users who happen to live in Tokyo

Edited December 21, 2016 by visvamitra

[lgsoltek]

I'm not impressed by these three.

[Chrissy]

I would love to try out Shimbashi-iro to see exactly what it's like. It looks similar to Ama-iro but slightly more turquoise.

[migo984]

I'm very happy with both nezu & murasaki.

[Diderot]

They look dull to me.

[mehandiratta]

hmm nothing special...

[migo984]

They look dull to me.

hmm nothing special...

Edo-murasaki is a beautiful smokey purple & nezu is an intriguing colour - and I'm not usually an Iroshizuku fan.

[lapis]

I like the grey because it's a grey. The other two are for me too boring. But if all three are as badly behaved as I think you wrote, then chop off my vote for the grey.

 

'kay?

[Jjf1989]

These are some really bland inks and I definitely love iroshizuku inks. I'm kind of glad they are boring though. Otherwise I would be tempted to spend money on them

[VivienR]

Well, even that there is a high chance, that it will not be my next favorite, but I will get a bottle of Edo-Murasaki. Funny, actually for same on-line color coding site Edo-Murasaki (Edo-Purple) is looks more like a Kyoto purple.....

[amberleadavis]

I don't know... they don't sing to me.

[mehandiratta]

I don't know... they don't sing to me.

u r right...

[inkstainedruth]

I could see myself maybe using Edo-Murasaki. But not the other two.

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[sam3k]

The Edo-murasaki reminds me of Caran d'Ache Storm.

 

Anyone know where to get some from? I can't find it on Amazon JP.

[migo984]

The Edo-murasaki reminds me of Caran d'Ache Storm.

 

Anyone know where to get some from? I can't find it on Amazon JP.

You're right, it is quite close in colour to Storm, although it has a touch more red in it. It shades in the same way as Storm too.

There are a couple of other inks that are also close, & some others in the same general colour group, but their behaviours are different (wetter, less saturated etc etc)

 

I could post a comparison pic later if required.