Ama-Iro - 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

Ama-iro (sky blue) is fresh blue ink with some (rather weak) waterproofness.

http://imageshack.com/a/img673/6739/mIWHlF.jpg

To be honest I don't really like it.

Ink Splash

http://imageshack.com/a/img907/4639/vAX1Fs.jpg

Drops of ink on kitchen towel

http://imageshack.com/a/img540/5875/ZK62aj.jpg

Software ID

http://imageshack.com/a/img673/4947/C8tjIN.jpg

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

http://imageshack.com/a/img540/1587/8FRT4l.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img633/2043/RxruQ8.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img673/5445/duokui.jpg

Kalendarz, TWSBI 580, stub 1,1

http://imageshack.com/a/img540/3179/5aKcah.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img907/4351/tyu1bM.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img661/7445/Sp1qsR.jpg

Edited March 12, 2015 by visvamitra

[sarahfar]

It is a real blue turquoise with a lot of great juice to it. Another Iro I love......

[Uncial]

I've grown to love this ink, but using it in the depths of winter just feels wrong.

[lgsoltek]

Ever since I discovered Sailor inks for different stores, Iroshizuku has somehow lost its charm...

[Morbus Curiositas]

Ever since I discovered Sailor inks for different stores, Iroshizuku has somehow lost its charm...

Especially since Siilor inks are EXCELLENT and...

a lot cheaper here in Europe

 

Iroshi zuku € 39,50 (50ml)

Sailor € 12,50

 

But maybe those iroshi zuku inks are made with body fluids from extinct animals to jusitfy the price

 

like the Isorhizuku yellow being made wiht Dodo Egg yolk haha

 

 

I Sailor

[maverink]

check out the prices of these inks in japanese sellers sites like rakuten or jsubculture you will get it cheaper

[senzen]

Nice review, as usual. I went from "oh sh... I made a mistake, I don't like it" to... "Bloody spectacular". To each his own.

[Iittala]

I love this ink. It matches the blue specks in my pen made of Tibaldi Impero celluloid.

Plus it's a happy upbeat colour and like all Iroshizuku inks its very well behaved.

[AndyYNWA]

check out the prices of these inks in japanese sellers sites like rakuten or jsubculture you will get it cheaper

The problem is if it gets stuck in customs. 3.7% duty, 25% VAT and customs fee, and we easily end up at least 40-45.

 

But, most packages get through customs without any problem, but they have become more and more picky... For Sweden this is...

Edited August 22, 2015 by AndyYNWA

[Noihvo]

The problem is if it gets stuck in customs. 3.7% duty, 25% VAT and customs fee, and we easily end up at least 40-45.

 

But, most packages get through customs without any problem, but they have become more and more picky... For Sweden this is...

 

Boy, I am getting more and more paranoid about Swedish customs. I rarely buy from non-EU stores, but when Goulet had the Majestic Pine I just had to have it. Ended up paying $60 in customs fee… Now I have a ten Dollar pens set from Pakistan, nibs and a Tomoe River notebook from the US, and a Ranga from India coming in. Soon, I'm going to pay a customs officer's full monthly wage…

Edited August 22, 2015 by Noihvo

[Algester]

Ever since I discovered Sailor inks for different stores, Iroshizuku has somehow lost its charm...

inkswill never lose their charm IMHO as each to his or her own, people like Iroshizuku and people like those elusive sailor inks I for one can't decide and therefore I like both :3 as situation dictates for me heck I own Kon-Peki and Souten and both are quite similar in color