Tsuki-Yo - 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
    

Sample of Tsuki-Yo was send to me by Mishka5050. Thank you a lot! The color is inspired by and named after moonlight:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/75/Skogsoy_moonlight.JPG/800px-Skogsoy_moonlight.JPG

Waterproofness:

http://imageshack.com/a/img540/8616/xOKQuV.jpg

Chromatography:

http://imageshack.com/a/img905/5226/a32I8R.jpg

It's not bad but I'm not crazy about this ink

Ink Splash

http://imageshack.com/a/img911/4994/LHUFCa.jpg

Drops of ink on kitchen towel

http://imageshack.com/a/img903/7206/H46nPP.jpg

Software ID

http://imageshack.com/a/img537/3235/6IxWrE.jpg

Oxford Recycled ( 90g), Kaweco Classic Sport, eyedropper, stalówka B

http://imageshack.com/a/img908/285/u7HL3P.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img910/1772/NsS6x3.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img901/6175/qMJPa5.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img673/9303/aCqWZL.jpg

Calendarz, Kaweco Classic Sport, B

http://imageshack.com/a/img908/6809/JRGYRs.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img537/84/q0AbSb.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img537/9798/wcHPJj.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img540/707/mzY3To.jpg

Edited April 2, 2015 by visvamitra

[lgsoltek]

It seems to be greener than I remembered. I shall try it again in my next fill. Anyway I think it looks quite pretty!

[Hallel]

This was my very first 'expensive' ink and it has a special place in my heart. It has lovely shading and excellent properties, but I am about to go on a break from dark inks. It's spring! All my pens are filled with some variety of grass green or sky blue. This is definitely a formal or winter ink.

[Mishka5050]

Yeey! Your reviews are simply the best

Pictures are spot on!

This colour is imo a mix of teal&blue-black which makes it perfect everyday colour.

Love the sheen too

[ethernautrix]

This was the first Iroshizuku ink I bought. It is a very nice color, and the ink feels somehow...smooth, not sure how to describe how it feels writing with it.

 

Another fabulous review!

[Cyber6]

This was the first Iroshizuku ink I bought. It is a very nice color, and the ink feels somehow...smooth, not sure how to describe how it feels writing with it.

 

Another fabulous review!

 

 

+1

 

 

Same here. It was the first one I bought.. and I still think is the best one from the series.

 

I love my dark blues..

 

 

C.

[ArchiMark]

 

 

+1

 

 

Same here. It was the first one I bought.. and I still think is the best one from the series.

 

I love my dark blues..

 

 

C.

 

+1 too.....

 

[SujiCorp12345]

Lovely colour. Definitely within my top 3 for the Iroshizuku line.

Edited April 28, 2015 by Suji

[J85909266]

Love this color and thank you for the review. I love the shading and sheen.

 

You are awesome, Vis.

[Flaxmoore]

+1

 

 

Same here. It was the first one I bought.. and I still think is the best one from the series.

 

I love my dark blues..

 

 

C.

I'll make three. First expensive ink after two Noodler forays, but I run through this stuff quick. Doesn't matter what pen, fine, flex or broad, it runs smooth and clean. If it were waterproof it would be essentially perfect.

 

It says a lot that I've never used it in a mix. Even BSB has gone that route.

[sarahfar]

It is a fabulous ink in every respect. Shades well, flow is perfect, beautiful color......

[sarahfar]

I agree with me even more today and likely will love it more tomorrow. You are right is a rich ink that does seem so smooth...

[amberleadavis]

This was the first Iroshizuku ink I bought. It is a very nice color, and the ink feels somehow...smooth, not sure how to describe how it feels writing with it.

 

Another fabulous review!

 

Cyber6 and me too.

[Armand.D]

Thank you for this excellent review.

After much reflexion, as a replacement for a non-classic BB ink, good-behaved on all-types of paper I purchased a bottle of it.

It will be for me too my first Iroshizuku ink, so I can't wait for it to arrive

 

Thank you again,

 

Armand.D

[eelldan]

Thanks for the review. I love this color. I think i'm going to go buy this right now.

[Dhruv_Sood]

My first Iroshizuku ink too.

[visvamitra]

Linen paper, Pelikan M405, M nib

http://imageshack.com/a/img911/6899/XOysAM.jpg