Yu-Yake - Pilot Iroshizuku

[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

I don't have all of the inks but sooner or later I'll try to check them all. With time I'll review all of them (hopefully).

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
    

Yu-yake is one of my favourite colors. I like everything about this ink.

Bottle

http://imageshack.com/a/img538/1160/iM2kGl.jpg

Ink splash

http://imageshack.com/a/img661/9479/89lzbZ.jpg

Drops of ink on kitchen towel

http://imageshack.com/a/img538/5632/tCsWNu.jpg

Chromatography

http://imageshack.com/a/img540/3797/ttlUNo.jpg

SOFTWARE ID

http://imageshack.com/a/img537/1176/ix7VmL.jpg

Color range

http://imageshack.com/a/img540/4646/wMTKmP.jpg

Oxford - Kaweco Sport Classic, b

http://imageshack.com/a/img538/627/Zsk2sW.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img901/9096/PgHz7l.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img661/8558/YG8G7w.jpg

Poljet 80 g

http://imageshack.com/a/img631/1894/UsaeOo.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img631/330/zUf6b0.jpg

teNeues, Kaweco Sport Classic, B

\http://imageshack.com/a/img905/1534/tirPuv.jpg

Hero 5028, stub 1,9

http://imageshack.com/a/img673/2439/XOqrKK.jpg

Edited February 10, 2015 by visvamitra

[fountainpenlady]

How would you assess it differs from the Fuyu-Gaki?

Edited February 10, 2015 by fountainpenlady

[visvamitra]

it's much more orange More burnt out.

[hypnostene]

When I saw the ink splash, chromatography, colour range etc, I thought: never, what a horrible ink for writing. But in your handwriting sample it does look rather pretty. Not something I would consider buying, not interesting nonetheless.

[mholve]

This is a great Iro ink; a bit like Noodler's Apache Sunset. I love it in a nicely shading pen, where it really shines (no pun intended).

[Uncial]

I actually think it's a better ink that Apache Sunset (saying that feels somewhat blasphemous). It looks more subtle in a side by side comparison and has less of that brownish aspect that is in Apache while still having great shading to a deep yellow.

[mholve]

It's brighter, certainly. More like Habañero actually.

Edited March 4, 2015 by mholve

[visvamitra]

http://imageshack.com/a/img909/2692/IFYju4.jpg

[Pira]

Oh lovely review. I have a bottle that is sitting neglected. & I while I probably won't get to it very soon I am now reasured I made the correct choice in picking it up.

[lgsoltek]

Oh lovely review. I have a bottle that is sitting neglected. & I while I probably won't get to it very soon I am now reasured I made the correct choice in picking it up.

We need to see the tree!

[eelldan]

Great review. I have been on the fence about this ink for some time. Your review has convinced me to try it out.

[Venator]

This was the second or third ink I bought and I loved it until I got a bottle of Diamine Autumn Oak.

[delano]

Great review. I have been on the fence about this ink for some time. Your review has convinced me to try it out.

 

 

 

Couldn't have said it any differently

[Pira]

We need to see the tree!

 

 

You asked and therefore you shall recieve:

 

 

Iroshizuku ~ Yu-Yake by Pira Urosevic, on Flickr

 

 

 

...Yup. It was that amazing autumn, sugar maple leaf orange that drew my interest. Nice, nice ink.

[lgsoltek]

 

 

You asked and therefore you shall recieve:

 

 

Iroshizuku ~ Yu-Yake by Pira Urosevic, on Flickr

 

 

 

...Yup. It was that amazing autumn, sugar maple leaf orange that drew my interest. Nice, nice ink.

 

Thank you! I love it, as all the others!

[visvamitra]

@Pira - stunning tree. Yu-Yake is my favourite Iro ink and one of my all - time favourite inks ever. Thank you

[Pira]

@Pira - stunning tree. Yu-Yake is my favourite Iro ink and one of my all - time favourite inks ever. Thank you

 

This is one of those bottles that I purchased without trying. I'd tried a sample of Fuyu-Gaki but it just didn't hit the right buttons for me...yet I adore Apache Sunset. Those reviews I'd seen of this one convinced me that I would like it....and you're right. It's a fabulous ink. This colour shouldn't work and yet it does!

 

 

 

Thank you! I love it, as all the others!

 

 

You are very welcome I'm glad I cracked open the bottle to try it out. I'd sort of been dancing around it for some reason. The drying time compared to Apache Sunset is lightning fast which makes me very happy...

[wastelanded]

You asked and therefore you shall recieve:

 

Now I really need to crack open the vial that a little squirrel passed on to me, and try this out!

[MathurinKerbouchard]

Great review! It seems that the yu-yake looks a bit similar to Diamine Autumn Oak.

[Algester]

no autumn oak is more on the redder and browner side