Sailor For Kingdom Note Trypoxylus Dichotomus "rhinoceros Beetle"

[white_lotus]

Sailor makes inks for select shops carrying their pens and standard inks. One of those shops named Kingdom Note has a line of inks after Japanese wild birds, insects, and fungi. They have been sought after by ink cognoscenti to the detriment of their pocketbooks and wallets. Many of the inks may well be the best Sailor has produced.

 

 

 

This ink is named after a particular Japanese beetle known as the "Rhinoceros beetle". It is sometimes sold as a pet in Japan and other parts of Asia. If I remember correctly it only lives for about 4 months or so as an actual beetle. They live about a year underground in larval form. The shell of the beetle is a red brown color, and this ink attempts to capture that hue. From photos I have seen, it appears that they have succeeded.

 

The color is definitely brown, with a strong red, red-violet undertone. The handling as with so many Sailor inks is on the juicy, wet side which I prefer.

 

On Mohawk via Linen paper.

 

On Hammermill 28lb Inkjet paper.

 

 

I definitely like this ink.

 

EDIT: here is the pic of the waterfastness test:

 

 

Edited April 10, 2015 by white_lotus

[migo984]

I agree. I have had the full set for some time & they get used a lot. Very exciting colours. This is one of my favourites.

Edited April 10, 2015 by migo984

[mtnbiker62]

Very nice. Thanks for the review!

[cleosmama]

That's beautiful. I wish Goulet or somebody would get some of these and make up samples.

[amberleadavis]

Hmm... this is similar to Kobe #39 especially in the wash. I'll try and send you a letter if I haven't finished my fill.

[tinkerteacher]

That's beautiful. I wish Goulet or somebody would get some of these and make up samples.

 

Sadly, you can only get these special Sailor custom inks through grey market exporters from Japan, not official retailers outside Japan as Sailor will only sell them to carefully vetted small Japanese mom&pop type corner stores.

 

As for ink samples of the regular Sailor inks, Anderson pens in the USA carries 'em.

 

http://www.andersonpens.com/sailor-ink-samples-s/2067.htm

[white_lotus]

Hmm... this is similar to Kobe #39 especially in the wash. I'll try and send you a letter if I haven't finished my fill.

 

Cool. I'm not surprised if some of the Sailor Japanese exclusives are very similar. I'll have to check out the Kobe one.

[bstnnyc]

Thank you for doing such an extensive review of this ink! I was thinking about adding it to the wishlist but after seeing a full page of writing I know now it's not the right shade for me. This was very helpful for someone trying to cut back on the Sailor addiction

[Frank C]

I have to confess that I like almost all of those exclusive Sailor inks. I am also partial to red-browns. I believe that one can order directly from Kingdom Note, is that true?

[Algester]

KN only sells locally but bung box sells internationally

[rickygene]

Thanks of the review - that's a beautiful ink. I'm afraid if I investigate further I will end up ordering a bottle.

 

<Edit> I just checked eBay - US $40 was the best I could find - Still thinking....

Edited April 12, 2015 by rickygene

[visvamitra]

Stunning review of nice brown.

[Millefleurs]

Thanks so much for the review. This ink is stunning!

[LeonW]

Thanks for adding to my addiction...

[Quadratus]

Very nice review of an wonderful ink.

 

I was lucky enough to have time to visit the Kingdom Note shop in Tokyo last March. I bought two bottles of the Stag Beetle brown, which is a stunning, rich and beautifully flowing ink. The trouble is, these Kingdom Note Sailor inks are very hard to find outside Japan. Ebay has Japanese sellers who offer them but the cost is very high (about £23 for the bottle plus £9.30 for postage. That makes each bottle very expensive but for the real addict worth it : )

[white_lotus]

Glad you are enjoying this hard-to-find ink! And especially that you got to visit the actual shop. So lucky!