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Pilot Iroshizuku Full Line (24 Inks)


visvamitra

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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.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





  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




http://imageshack.com/a/img540/8917/Tn63B1.jpg



Ink splashes


http://imageshack.com/a/img540/3220/szF0L9.jpg


http://imageshack.com/a/img661/6310/wvDblc.jpg


http://imageshack.com/a/img912/9563/azc5JS.jpg


http://imageshack.com/a/img913/8908/v1sFAm.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img673/9567/8UM77i.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img661/5379/e0XVx1.jpg


Swabs - Mondi 90 g


http://imageshack.com/a/img901/5315/QedWwX.jpg


http://imageshack.com/a/img537/185/XABogj.jpg



Scribbles, Kaweco Classic Sport, stalówka B


http://imageshack.com/a/img538/7656/0sG5c0.jpg


http://imageshack.com/a/img908/5075/cVfvbi.jpg



Kaweco Classic Sport, B - Oxford 90 g


http://imageshack.com/a/img673/8838/fUiKl4.jpg


http://imageshack.com/a/img537/8199/T1suHS.jpg


http://imageshack.com/a/img540/492/OPzdJj.jpg


Kaweco Classic Sport, B - calendar


http://imageshack.com/a/img909/6023/iy1k2Q.jpg


http://imageshack.com/a/img537/8879/wYEo1B.jpg


http://imageshack.com/a/img912/2672/bUcEP6.jpg


http://imageshack.com/a/img661/2299/TXjh41.jpg


Kaweco Classic Sport, stalówka B - Rhodia


http://imageshack.com/a/img537/1017/6Syt96.jpg



Waterproofness - photos


http://imageshack.com/a/img537/5056/cFPSNI.jpg


http://imageshack.com/a/img538/268/yJ09Oc.jpg


http://imageshack.com/a/img907/5439/IMf6tq.jpg


Summary


I mostly enjoy Iroshizuku line but I dislike they're pricing politics. Premium brand should keep the price fixed (as, for example, Caran d'Ache or Graf von Faber-Castell). Pilot however sells their inks for around 10-13 $ in Japan and for 30 - 50 $ worldwide. They must be patriots. I guiess they just want to force people to buy online from Japan and not from their retaiilers :)


I like most of the colors and I find iroshizuku inks well-behaved except for the fading. They tend to fade rather quickly and loose the vibrancy.


My favourite ones are: yu-yake, yama-budo, chiku-rin, fuyu-gaki, tsukushi, ina-ho


I dislike murasaki-shikibu, ajisai, ama-iro, tsuyu-kusa, syo-ro.


And what about you?

Edited by visvamitra
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  • amberleadavis

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Wow!

Just two comments.

1. The link of Yama Guri points to Tsukushi.

2. If you could add the Software Id codes to Murasaki Shikibu and Shi Ryoku it would be perfect.

 

Thanks again,

Rafael.

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Great comparison, as always. :D

Iroshizuku inks used to be my top ink brand, but that was before I discovered all those Sailor inks.

Here in China, Iroshizuku costs 19 USD, not as inexpensive as in Japan but much less expensive than elsewhere. I think it's a geographic advantage. :lol:

Edited by Lgsoltek
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Amazing resource - thanks! :thumbup:

I am no longer very active on FPN but feel free to message me. Or send me a postal letter!

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I fell in love with the Iroshizuku inks. Not as visceral, but still heart broken because by accident threw away an entire bottle of Momiji, which was the first I fell in love with of this line. I have recovered as I have several sample inks, and several of the smaller bottles of this line in my collection and I am thrilled you finally finished the entire line as I was keeping up with your wonderful comparisons and reviews of them.

1. Tsutsuji

2. Murasaki-shikibu

3. ajisai

4. yama-budo

 

Currently, the above are my favorites of the line with addition to Momiji, which started it all. Thank you once again for your terrific resource for the Iroshizuku inks. Definitely worth referring back to from time to time.

Edited by fountainpenlady

Ea Alis Volat Propiis, per/Repletus Fontis Calamus!
She Flies by Her Own Wings, with filled Fountain Pen

 

Delta DolceVita, F-C Intrinsic 02, Pelikan M800 red/black striation, Bexley ATB Strawberry Swirl, Red Jinhao 159, Platinum 3776 Bourgogne. :wub:

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Thank you for having a poll where you could pick more than one option.

For me it's a tossup between Yama-budo and Yama-guri, with Take-sumi rounding out the top three. Although technically I'm still trying to make up my mind about Take-sumi.

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

"It's very nice, but frankly, when I signed that list for a P-51, what I had in mind was a fountain pen."

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Great review. Thank you.

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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Thank you for this very comprehensive review. It is helpful to see the different shades these inks can show with various pens and papers.

 

David

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Excellent comparison as all your posts are, visvamitra.

 

Thanks for sharing this with everyone!

 

Mark

FP Addict & Pretty Nice Guy

 

 

 

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Lovely work visvamitra - I hope I can add to the canon of work when the co-razy review ends next year :)

"...using a fountain pen should feel like riding a unicorn through a field of cupcakes during a rainstorm of scotch while eating bacon" - Dan Smith

"Never trust a man who, when left alone in a room with a tea cosy, doesn't try it on" - Billy Connolly

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Yu-yake, Asa-gao and Tsuki-yo are my favourites. Also a big fan of Take-sumi and Fuyu-syogun. Chiku-rin, Kon-peki and Ku-jaku have all been underwhelming for me, though still good. I am slowly coming around to Yama-budo, not sure where to rank it at the moment. It will be a while before I try more Iroshizuku inks, I'm busy catching up on other brands for now.

 

Fantastic review and a good resource!

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Indeed. This is a fabulous resource, as are all your comprehensive reviews. Thank you!
The Tsukushi and Yama Budo are most eye-catching.
As beautiful as the Iroshizuku line is, none (except the black) holds up well against water...sigh...
I wonder if anyone has been brave enough to try some mixing experiments with Iro. Inks.

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Asa gao is my favourite ink period, let alone my favourite Iroshizuku ink.

Pilot Custom 823, Pelikan M600, Platinum 3776 Century (x2), Pelikan 400NN, Sailor 1911L, Pilot Elite 95s, TWSBI Vac 700, Noodler's Neponset, Hero 9018.

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Out of 24 there are only two that don't thrill me and who knows as fickle as I am I might soon like them. If I had to have a favorite it would be Yama Guri and Tsuki Yo.

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