Help ID this Japanese Ink, please

[LizEF]

A friend who knows nothing about fountain pens or inks brought this back for me from her trip to Japan. The person she was with said that the label says it's for fountain pens, but she knew nothing more:

 

Looks like either a dip ink or a student ink to me.  Thanks in advance for any help.  

[Lithium466]

The bottle is very cute!

 

https://item.rakuten.co.jp/stationery-goods/hek019/

https://www.fueki.co.jp/products/stationery/calligraphy.php#A

 

I hope that it's an exotic variant of your favourite methyl blue ink 🤭 You can buy a jug of 18L if you like it. (And I know it's black ink)

 

Terrible translation:

 

Quote

Easy ink
From inkmaking technology
The ink color of the traditional inn

Deep and rich ink color, stable quality. Multi-purpose type of calligraphy, printmaking, ink painting, fish taku, dyeing, etc.

 

[inkstainedruth]

@LizEF I took screenshots of the labels and dragged them into Google Translate (there's an option for images (!) -- something I hadn't realized before now).  One of them (the label on the cap with  the price translated to "Gion no Morita" and the other (on the bottle) to (I kid you not ) as "Not easy to ink"....

And when I tried to type in the stuff on the label?  Google Translate said it was in SPANISH but then asked if I meant "Guion no morita" 

So, not much help there, sorry....  

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[LizEF]

Thanks, @Lithium466 and @inkstainedruth!

 

@Lithium466, your second link clearly shows my product (and the first seems to have a variation of it).  And it looks to me like it's a calligraphy ink, which was my assumption when I saw the bottle.  No idea what I'll do with it....  Fortunately, it wasn't too expensive and it's the thought that counts (and I'm up to my ears in ink).

[Lithium466]

If you have a cheap pen you can risk, try it! Maybe it's going to be a fantastic (and easy to clean, they say!) super dark and shiny black ink that will not clog nor dry out on the nib?

Ok, marketing-me is out now  

[yazeh]

What @Lithium466 said: Here is a summary from your friend, ChatGPT:

 不易墨汁 (Fueki Bokuju) is a traditional Japanese sumi ink used for Shodō (Japanese calligraphy), sumi-e painting, woodblock printing, fabric dyeing, and gyotaku (fish printing, where a real fish is inked and pressed to paper to make a life-size print). It’s widely used in Japanese classrooms, especially for Shodō lessons, because it is inexpensive, very dark, consistent, and formulated to be safe for student brushes. This is a multi-purpose pigment ink for brush work and art applications, not a fountain pen ink.

 

不易墨汁 is a traditional carbon-black sumi ink used for:

• Japanese calligraphy practice (Shodō)

• Art classes

• Sumi-e (ink painting)

• Woodblock printing

• Fish printing (gyotaku)

• Dyeing and fabric marking

• Various school projects

It is not a fountain pen ink — it’s an art ink designed for brushes, paper, wood, cloth, and even fish skin.   🐟

 

[LizEF]

3 hours ago, yazeh said:

What @Lithium466 said: Here is a summary from your friend, ChatGPT:

 不易墨汁 (Fueki Bokuju) is a traditional Japanese sumi ink used for Shodō (Japanese calligraphy), sumi-e painting, woodblock printing, fabric dyeing, and gyotaku (fish printing, where a real fish is inked and pressed to paper to make a life-size print). It’s widely used in Japanese classrooms, especially for Shodō lessons, because it is inexpensive, very dark, consistent, and formulated to be safe for student brushes. This is a multi-purpose pigment ink for brush work and art applications, not a fountain pen ink.

 

 

不易墨汁 is a traditional carbon-black sumi ink used for:

• Japanese calligraphy practice (Shodō)

• Art classes

• Sumi-e (ink painting)

• Woodblock printing

• Fish printing (gyotaku)

• Dyeing and fabric marking

• Various school projects

It is not a fountain pen ink — it’s an art ink designed for brushes, paper, wood, cloth, and even fish skin.   🐟

 

Thanks, Yazeh!   I didn't think to ask ChatGPT!   I know a guy who does dip-pen calligraphy.  Maybe I'll see if he's interested in it.  I know a guy who does too much fishing¹, but I am soooo not  inking a dead fish (let alone a live one!). 

 

¹ I don't know if it's just Utah, but it's pretty common here for folks to wander around the neighborhood offering tomatoes, zucchini (especially zucchini), and often peaches or other fruit from their home garden because they have far more than they need.  The guy in question does the same with fish he's caught.  Thankfully, he cleans them first and brings you the fish filet ready to cook, but still...  He redeems himself at Christmas when he makes some sort of peanut-butter-dipped-in-chocolate treat that is absolutely fabulous!

[LizEF]

4 hours ago, Lithium466 said:

If you have a cheap pen you can risk, try it! Maybe it's going to be a fantastic (and easy to clean, they say!) super dark and shiny black ink that will not clog nor dry out on the nib?

Ok, marketing-me is out now  

Yeah, no, not doing it.  I do have a dip nib holder and several dip nibs, should I ever get a hankering for that.

[yazeh]

1 hour ago, LizEF said:

Thanks, Yazeh!   I didn't think to ask ChatGPT!   I know a guy who does dip-pen calligraphy.  Maybe I'll see if he's interested in it.  I know a guy who does too much fishing¹, but I am soooo not  inking a dead fish (let alone a live one!). 

What about a live cats rolling in ink? 

1 hour ago, LizEF said:

 

¹ I don't know if it's just Utah, but it's pretty common here for folks to wander around the neighborhood offering tomatoes, zucchini (especially zucchini), and often peaches or other fruit from their home garden because they have far more than they need.  The guy in question does the same with fish he's caught.  Thankfully, he cleans them first and brings you the fish filet ready to cook, but still...  He redeems himself at Christmas when he makes some sort of peanut-butter-dipped-in-chocolate treat that is absolutely fabulous!

It's common is smaller communities, or old neighborhoods in larger cities.

 

Though it seems that with some trigger-happy  people, they first shoot, then ask.

 

We used to give anything we ordered in excess to our next-door neighbor who had kids, and they would give us the most lovely zucchini spice bread at Christmas.

 

[LizEF]

4 minutes ago, yazeh said:

What about a live cats rolling in ink? 

🙀 Noooooo!

 

6 minutes ago, yazeh said:

It's common is smaller communities, or old neighborhoods in larger cities.

  Here, growing gardens is sort of a religious thing (and gardens almost always produce more than you want, so all that's left is to give some away).  At Christmas time, my front porch is randomly populated with a wide variety of treats, often just left with a note rather than knocking (folks know me well - I really don't like unexpected visitors).

 

6 minutes ago, yazeh said:

Though it seems that with some trigger-happy  people, they first shoot, then ask.

 Do you mean leave the food or force the food on you?  Or...?  In my experience, people usually show up with the food and ask if you want it rather than asking and then bringing later (or inviting you to come get some).  (Or if you refer to hunters / fishers, then yeah, this guy just brings home too many fish.)

 

9 minutes ago, yazeh said:

We used to give anything we ordered in excess to our next-door neighbor who had kids, and they would give us the most lovely zucchini spice bread at Christmas.

  I like making zucchini bread around Thanksgiving and Christmas.  Almost all my neighbors end up with family to help them eat it.   I can't eat as much as I used to be able to - seems my stomach rebels at being over-stuffed with carbs  - so I have more to give away.

[inkstainedruth]

2 hours ago, yazeh said:

What about a live cats rolling in ink? 

It's common is smaller communities, or old neighborhoods in larger cities.

 

Though it seems that with some trigger-happy  people, they first shoot, then ask.

 

We used to give anything we ordered in excess to our next-door neighbor who had kids, and they would give us the most lovely zucchini spice bread at Christmas.

 

I remember when I was a little kid my mom would bake cookies for some of our neighbors at Christmastime.

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[yazeh]

7 hours ago, LizEF said:

🙀 Noooooo!

 

 

7 hours ago, LizEF said:

 

 

 

  Here, growing gardens is sort of a religious thing (and gardens almost always produce more than you want, so all that's left is to give some away).  At Christmas time, my front porch is randomly populated with a wide variety of treats, often just left with a note rather than knocking

That's lovely.

 

7 hours ago, LizEF said:

 

(folks know me well - I really don't like unexpected visitors).

I'm imaging the same scenario with Klaw and Smoke:  

Are you a Bird or Mouse, or both? You're welcome. 

Are you a biped with treats. Come in. 

Are you a four legged creature like me, no way!

Etc

7 hours ago, LizEF said:

 

 Do you mean leave the food or force the food on you?  Or...?  In my experience, people usually show up with the food and ask if you want it rather than asking and then bringing later (or inviting you to come get some).  (Or if you refer to hunters / fishers, then yeah, this guy just brings home too many fish.)

I was alluding to the unfortunate cases where children or people rang on the wrong door and were shot. 🥹

7 hours ago, LizEF said:

 

  I like making zucchini bread around Thanksgiving and Christmas.  Almost all my neighbors end up with family to help them eat it.   I can't eat as much as I used to be able to - seems my stomach rebels at being over-stuffed with carbs  - so I have more to give away.

The first time I had it was thanks to an American neighbour.  We treated them with a Christmas log, storebrought of course.  

[yazeh]

5 hours ago, inkstainedruth said:

I remember when I was a little kid my mom would bake cookies for some of our neighbors at Christmastime.

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

Good old times. Now we send each other virtual 🍪

 

How surprising would it be if some one knocks at the door with a box of new inks.  I'm sure even @LizEF would crack the door open.  

[LizEF]

1 minute ago, yazeh said:

I'm imaging the same scenario with Klaw and Smoke:  

Are you a Bird or Mouse, or both? You're welcome. 

Are you a biped with treats. Come in. 

Are you a four legged creature like me, no way!

Etc

 

1 minute ago, yazeh said:

I was alluding to the unfortunate cases where children or people rang on the wrong door and were shot. 🥹

😭 That's terrible!  Has never happened around here to my knowledge - I really do live in an amazing neighborhood. I seriously lucked out.

 

3 minutes ago, yazeh said:

The first time I had it was thanks to an American neighbour.

 If you were my neighbor, you'd get it every year.   I'm not sure it would survive the international shipping, though.  

 

1 minute ago, yazeh said:

How surprising would it be if some one knocks at the door with a box of new inks.  I'm sure even @LizEF would crack the door open.  

 Yes, yes I would!  Fun story: I have a friend at church who for some reason decided to adopt me for holidays. On Valentine's day one year she brought me a bag of goodies. I assumed there would be chocolate.  Nope!  There was a bottle of ink!  She's not a fountain pen person, just took a chance and bought a bottle - Pelikan 4001 Turquoise.  Another holiday, she got me a big fat journal and a bottle of Pelikan 4001 Violet (thought that since the first bottle went over well, she'd play it safe and stick with the same brand).  Some humans are simply wonderful!  

 

May we all be and have such friends!  

[yazeh]

On 11/13/2025 at 8:03 PM, LizEF said:

 

😭 That's terrible!  Has never happened around here to my knowledge - I really do live in an amazing neighborhood. I seriously lucked out.

That's a blessing. I believe these tragedies happens when mental health, and firearms mix and match.

 

On 11/13/2025 at 8:03 PM, LizEF said:

 

 If you were my neighbor, you'd get it every year.   I'm not sure it would survive the international shipping, though.  

 

No it won't survive, but the thought of it tasted sweet. 🙏

On 11/13/2025 at 8:03 PM, LizEF said:

 Yes, yes I would!  Fun story: I have a friend at church who for some reason decided to adopt me for holidays. On Valentine's day one year she brought me a bag of goodies. I assumed there would be chocolate.  Nope!  There was a bottle of ink!  She's not a fountain pen person, just took a chance and bought a bottle - Pelikan 4001 Turquoise.  Another holiday, she got me a big fat journal and a bottle of Pelikan 4001 Violet (thought that since the first bottle went over well, she'd play it safe and stick with the same brand).  Some humans are simply wonderful!  

 

Lovely story, lovely friend. Though sometimes gifts can cause the reverse effect, and of course a lot of gossip, etc. 

 

On 11/13/2025 at 8:03 PM, LizEF said:

May we all be and have such friends!  

Amen. 🕊️

[Sporadic Traveler]

Their webpage lets you ask for English and takes you to the home page but then you can dive down Products / Stationery / Calligraphy to find the bottles of ink.

 

The translation on the webpage says:

 

Fueki Bokuju

Deep and rich black color, stable quality.Versatile type for calligraphy, prints, ink painting, gyotaku, dyeing, etc

[LizEF]

8 minutes ago, Sporadic Traveler said:

Their webpage lets you ask for English and takes you to the home page but then you can dive down Products / Stationery / Calligraphy to find the bottles of ink.

 

The translation on the webpage says:

 

Fueki Bokuju

Deep and rich black color, stable quality.Versatile type for calligraphy, prints, ink painting, gyotaku, dyeing, etc

Yes, but I never fully trust automated translations.   Still, it seems clear it's not for fountain pens, so thank you!