Ink Color Etiquette

[essayfaire]

I was wondering if anyone knew what the correct color ink is to write a thank you to a Japanese family. The note will accompany a small gift. In the States, I'd stick with black, but I'm not sure about Japan. Thank you!

 

[Tas]

How thoughtful of you to ask first.

[Olya]

I was wondering if anyone knew what the correct color ink is to write a thank you to a Japanese family. The note will accompany a small gift. In the States, I'd stick with black, but I'm not sure about Japan. Thank you!

 

Black is the golden standard (it seems) in Japan. Blue would be perfectly fine too. Avoid grey, grey ink is for mourning and condolence letters. In China red is a huge no-no, just to be on the safe side I'd avoid red/ish colours too.

If you're not determined to use "exotic" ink colours, then black and blue are perfectly fine!

[essayfaire]

Black is the golden standard (it seems) in Japan. Blue would be perfectly fine too. Avoid grey, grey ink is for mourning and condolence letters. In China red is a huge no-no, just to be on the safe side I'd avoid red/ish colours too.

If you're not determined to use "exotic" ink colours, then black and blue are perfectly fine!

Thank you. Black or blue (or the old standard, blue/black) it is!

[Olya]

Thank you. Black or blue (or the old standard, blue/black) it is!

You're welcome! Blue black is of course just as acceptable

[Mew]

I suppose green and Violet/purple would work too. But this is coming from someone who uses Burgundy at work.

 

Also, dark brown. Some character, while retaining the feel of a black ink.!

[ENewton]

Also, dark brown. Some character, while retaining the feel of a black ink.!

 

This is good to hear. I just ordered a bottle of Kobe #3 Old Foreigner's Ward Sepia as a thank-you gift for a Japanese friend.

[essayfaire]

I suppose green and Violet/purple would work too. But this is coming from someone who uses Burgundy at work.

 

Also, dark brown. Some character, while retaining the feel of a black ink.!

[essayfaire]

I actually have discovered I am quite fond of the aged look of brown ink, and I think green ink looks happy. I was under the impression anything with red tones (such as brown) was to be avoided. If brown in acceptable it would probablly be my first choice.

[Mew]

I actually have discovered I am quite fond of the aged look of brown ink, and I think green ink looks happy. I was under the impression anything with red tones (such as brown) was to be avoided. If brown in acceptable it would probablly be my first choice.

I don't particularly care about appropriateness of the colour as long as I like it. But I understand that is not the norm.

You can use a brown without any red undertones, like Kobe #3 as ENewton mentioned or IAI135 school brown.

 

I consider a dark brown ink as very work appropriate. It's dark and would normally pass for a black, while having more character than an actual black ink.

[essayfaire]

I don't particularly care about appropriateness of the colour as long as I like it. But I understand that is not the norm.

You can use a brown without any red undertones, like Kobe #3 as ENewton mentioned or IAI135 school brown.

 

I consider a dark brown ink as very work appropriate. It's dark and would normally pass for a black, while having more character than an actual black ink.

I was actually thinking about using the Pilot tsukushi; it coordinates well with the color of the gift. To my western eye all brown has red undertones, but if those of you in and from Japan think it is alright to use this I will.