Pilot Iroshizuku Full Line (24 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.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 May 17, 2015 by visvamitra

[rafapa]

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.

[visvamitra]

Thank you Rafae for pointing me this - already corrected I'll add the codes in the evening.

 

Best

 

Lukasz

[lgsoltek]

Great comparison, as always.

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.

Edited May 17, 2015 by Lgsoltek

[purplepen]

Wow - thanks for doing this. This is my favorite brand of ink.

[Diderot]

Meticulously done - thanks.

[attika89]

Great comparison as always!
I'm still not sure which blue I'd choose.....

[VivienR]

I have only Jama-Budo, but I'm not really should about other inks. Maybe Ku-Jaku.

[cybaea]

Amazing resource - thanks!

[fountainpenlady]

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 May 19, 2015 by fountainpenlady

[inkstainedruth]

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

[amberleadavis]

Great review. Thank you.

[dms525]

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

[ArchiMark]

Excellent comparison as all your posts are, visvamitra.

 

Thanks for sharing this with everyone!

 

Mark

[GSteer]

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

[klundtasaur]

Amazingly detailed and thorough work--as usual. Thanks for sharing with us.

[Venator]

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!

[eyesa]

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.

[shedberg]

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

[sarahfar]

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.