Ajisai - 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

Ajisai is pale color inspired by hydrangea flower.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/74/Flowers_and_rain.JPG/640px-Flowers_and_rain.JPG

http://en.wikipedia....rs_and_rain.JPG

Waterproofness

http://imageshack.com/a/img540/4651/RxKt1i.jpg

Chromatography :

http://imageshack.com/a/img911/5296/ZrCwF0.jpg

My feelings: I don't like this color. It's just too pale to my taste.

Ink Splash

http://imageshack.com/a/img912/7338/HcKNUI.jpg

Drops of ink on kitchen towel

http://imageshack.com/a/img661/604/MJbAfX.jpg

Software ID

http://imageshack.com/a/img540/4429/vByFZO.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img907/8465/7DtxOJ.jpg

Oxford Recycled ( 90g), Kaweco Classic Sport używany jako zakraplacz, stalówka B

http://imageshack.com/a/img540/9863/sTbczO.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img908/408/nvl8cv.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img905/2228/7yywtr.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img538/926/5XtezM.jpg

Calendar, TWSBI 580, stub 1,1

http://imageshack.com/a/img538/3127/QtGTRy.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img633/171/NIYpas.jpg

My company paper, TWSBI 580, stub 1,1

http://imageshack.com/a/img673/4085/S65kf7.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img908/5336/cwA1hp.jpg

Edited March 11, 2015 by visvamitra

[Tanzanite]

Thank you for this review. I have been interested in this ink for a long time. The colour looks beautiful but as you write, pale. This has helped me to decide not to buy it.

[lgsoltek]

I agree. It's too pale. I have a Pilot 78g Broad inked with it. It's just too pale.

[penswordnoassemblyrequired]

I'm starting to be unable to tell the nuances apart. This looks like J Herbin's Bleu Myosotis which I have and very much like but isn't that pale.

[musicman123]

A bit too light don't you think? Maybe it would look darker in an F nib, but in the current situation, I wouldn't use it for much.

[cybaea]

Looks light but might work out in a wet flex nib? Or for drawing.

[sarahfar]

It is a beautiful ink, very sophisticated with a lot of subtlety. To me it is a very gorgeous minimal ink. Reminds a lot of some of the lighter european blues.

[senzen]

Here it is in slightly more saturated circumstances...

 

[Erik Dalton]

I heartily agree. This ink can be quite saturated depending on the circumstances. The nib, and the paper you are writing on have a lot of influence here.

To get the true depth of color out of this ink you need a nice juicy Pelikan M-600 type nib. On grey paper the blue tones come out strong, darken, and appear quite like you wish Montblanc Royal Blue would write like. Ivory or cream colored paper bring out another strong saturated "hydrangea" color. It is a bright and welcoming color.

I really love this ink, but it is not an everyday color, for every occasion. Taken the time, and used right it really is a striking color. Great to have in your collection.

I pulled these ink samples out of my files. They are on Ivory card stock, Grey Card stock, and Cream paper in that order.

[Erik Dalton]

Oops, the photos uploaded in reverse order. They are: creme paper, grey card stock, and ivory card stock.

[wastelanded]

Ajisai is a gorgeous ink, but it needs a big, wet nib to breathe. In my Custom 74 BB it's beautiful.

[visvamitra]

I tend to believe that good/amazing inks should suit every pen and shouldn't require expensive ones to shine I prefer inks I can enjoy in my cheap Kaweco than inks that would force me to but Pelikan M800 to fully enjoy them

[Erik Dalton]

Visvamitra said: I tend to believe that good/amazing inks should suit every pen and shouldn't require expensive ones to shine I prefer inks I can enjoy in my cheap Kaweco than inks that would force me to but Pelikan M800 to fully enjoy them

 

My exact words were "Pelikan Type nib". Pelikan nibs are known for being on the juicy side. I used the term to describe general properties of a nib. You will note from my ink samples, that there are Waterman Experts, a couple from Levenger, some that sell for less than a Kaweco. Then there are others from Pilot, Pelikan, and up in quality to Monblanc. I match pen to ink and in some cases show the difference in an ink from pen to pen. Once I've finished customizing and tuning the nib, even my low cost pens write as well and sometimes better than a Montblanc with a complementary ink. What matters to me, is how a pen writes, not the name on it.

 

Its your choice to limit your pen inventory to; in your words, cheap Kawecos, and i respect that. I have pens of similar quality that I love, and use all the time. Quality Inks should, as you suggest, perform well in a wide variety of pens, but not all pens. The pen must be up to the task at hand. All pens like people, are different, as are inks. That's where the skill of the writer comes into play. Choosing the right well maintained pen and ink, are key. My pens, are all tuned and customized by me. They bear notations of how they write and the inks they prefer. Extra fine, medium or broad, all write smooth as butter and lay down a nice wet line of ink of varying thickness.

All the work that you've put into these reviews is commendable, the reviews helpful and valuable. But, you have no business downing a high quality Ink that others may get enjoyment using, without first qualifying the instruments and technique used in your Ink Review. There are people who have written here that they were going to try this ink but, based on your evaluation decided against it.

I did not attack you personally. I only attempted to say: Hey. Don't give up on this ink until you consider these additional facts, and applications. Then I provided documentation.

Its only by sharing our joint experience that we get maximum benefit out of this forum. Snapping back at me like you did, serves only to discourage others from sharing in the future.

[visvamitra]

@Old Salt - snapping on you wasn't my intention and I'm surprised you've taken it personally. I've just re-read the review and can't see myself discouraging others from using the ink. Yes - it's too pale to my taste. I've tried it in three pens and it doesn't appeal to me. I do my reviews with cheap / medium priced pen because most people know and use them. I lack skills (or maybe patience) to time my nibs. And still I believe that premium quality inks should shine in most pens. We can make almost any ink amazing and juicy by choosing nice pen. I expect premium inks to give premium results with most pens though

[fountainpenlady]

@Old Salt - snapping on you wasn't my intention and I'm surprised you've taken it personally. I've just re-read the review and can't see myself discouraging others from using the ink. Yes - it's too pale to my taste. I've tried it in three pens and it doesn't appeal to me. I do my reviews with cheap / medium priced pen because most people know and use them. I lack skills (or maybe patience) to time my nibs. And still I believe that premium quality inks should shine in most pens. We can make almost any ink amazing and juicy by choosing nice pen. I expect premium inks to give premium results with most pens though

Edited March 17, 2015 by fountainpenlady

[jasonchickerson]

Looks light but might work out in a wet flex nib? Or for drawing.

 

I was thinking the same thing. This looks like a lighter Bleu Myosotis to me, which didn't dip well at all.. As an Iroshizuku, I imagine it will do much better.

[Aquaria]

This is not a color for everyone, or for every writing task, but that doesn't mean it doesn't have its fans or uses.

 

I call it vintage love letter blue. This is the exact color that the ink in my grandparents' letters from the 40s had faded to. You can just about smell the flowers pressed between the pages when you use it. So it's a terrific color for letters to people who would appreciate that vintage look.

 

My mom and I used this ink when we finally put all the pre-1960s family photos into albums at long last, and captioned them. It was absolutely the perfect color for that task.

 

With some pens/paper combos, it also looks remarkably close to old mimeograph bluish purple, so much so that when the phone interrupted a letter to my mother, I thought it was mimeo when I came back to finish. I even held up the paper to my nose automatically to get the smell, and was a little disappointed when I didn't.

Edited June 4, 2017 by Aquaria

[senzen]

I now have this ink in a Lamy Vista with an F nib, so slightly thicker than the Muji, it's still gorgeous and nicely saturated, it doesn't fail to make me smile while writing on a sunny day.

[bluebellrose]

I heartily agree. This ink can be quite saturated depending on the circumstances. The nib, and the paper you are writing on have a lot of influence here.

To get the true depth of color out of this ink you need a nice juicy Pelikan M-600 type nib. On grey paper the blue tones come out strong, darken, and appear quite like you wish Montblanc Royal Blue would write like. Ivory or cream colored paper bring out another strong saturated "hydrangea" color. It is a bright and welcoming color.

I really love this ink, but it is not an everyday color, for every occasion. Taken the time, and used right it really is a striking color. Great to have in your collection.

I pulled these ink samples out of my files. They are on Ivory card stock, Grey Card stock, and Cream paper in that order.

so a really wet nib like the platinum cool/balance would bring the best out of this ink.

[ENewton]

so a really wet nib like the platinum cool/balance would bring the best out of this ink.

 

 

And a non-absorbent paper. Ajisai glows on Tomoe River.