Shin-Ryoku - 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
    

Shin-ryoku is named after forest green. To me it has too much blue for a forest green.

Ink Splash

http://imageshack.com/a/img913/6935/4flOYm.jpg

Drops of ink on kitchen towel

http://imageshack.com/a/img538/5072/65VOO9.jpg

Chromatography

http://imageshack.com/a/img673/2994/MqNedq.jpg

Oxford Recycled ( 90g), Graf von Faber-Catsell Guilloche, M

http://imageshack.com/a/img908/8057/Ioo95J.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img673/3807/FOIpon.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img537/2977/WuWGrz.jpg

Cheap notebook, Graf von Faber-Catsell Guilloche, M

http://imageshack.com/a/img538/1047/cxqUue.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img907/4748/trxgBn.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img905/5944/DS0laS.jpg

Cheap notebook, Graf von Faber-Catsell Guilloche, M

http://imageshack.com/a/img910/9179/vJ4MeB.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img908/4054/5Lssrc.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img538/8263/Do7mMj.jpg

Edited May 14, 2015 by visvamitra

[lgsoltek]

I agree, it's too blue.

[Jamerelbe]

For me, the blue tint to this ink is what attracts me to it. I used up my sample vial a couple of months ago, and have been dreaming of buying a replacement bottle ever since! [Dreaming because with the Aus exchange rate, shipping costs etc this is a seriously pricey ink for me to get my hands on...]

[jasonchickerson]

There is something oceanic about this ink, and also something of the jungle. I think it's beautiful, though it's not really a color I'd want in my pen.

 

The shading, from cyan to pine, is especially interesting.

[A144]

It's a bit bluer than I prefer in a green but I still like this ink on occasion. Great review as always Vis!

[Venator]

For me, the blue tint to this ink is what attracts me to it. I used up my sample vial a couple of months ago, and have been dreaming of buying a replacement bottle ever since! [Dreaming because with the Aus exchange rate, shipping costs etc this is a seriously pricey ink for me to get my hands on...]

 

Jamerelbe, just wondering if you have seen this store? http://stores.ebay.com.au/SAKURA-KITTY-JAPAN/_i.html?_nkw=namiki&submit=Search&_sid=1102669029

$28 a bottle is still not cheap but it's about $12 cheaper than I've seen it in Australia. Only downside is my orders have all taken around three weeks to a month to arrive, but arrive they did.

Edited May 15, 2015 by Venator

[AGxM]

For me, the blue tint to this ink is what attracts me to it. I used up my sample vial a couple of months ago, and have been dreaming of buying a replacement bottle ever since! [Dreaming because with the Aus exchange rate, shipping costs etc this is a seriously pricey ink for me to get my hands on...]

 

Even from Rakuten?

[mallymal1]

Nice review. Love the colour.

[gmax]

Thanks for another great review. This is a personal favourite of mine

 

From wet writing pens I find it very close to Diamine Delamere Green.

[Jamerelbe]

Thanks @Venator and @AGxM - I wasn't aware of either of these options. You've given me a couple of additional avenues to explore!

[Jamerelbe]

Placed an order with SAKURA*KITTY*JAPAN via eBay - with a 10% eBay discount voucher, it came to US$20.51, postage included. That's at least AU$15 cheaper than the cheapest Australian website I've come across - look forward to seeing this arrive!

 

Thanks again for the links to the different stores.

[amberleadavis]

I really enjoy this ink (I like blueish greens). Thank you again for the great review.

[visvamitra]

http://imageshack.com/a/img661/9576/pPinXY.jpg

[Blackhorse]

Too blue? Too blue for what? Call it Spruce Green or Kentucky Green and the blue might suddenly seem less. lol To me, a color is a color...and this one is so very fine. Maybe I'd pick Bad Green Gator or Green Marine for wet work in which I ultimately want something wet proof for later color washes. And yeah, as a business green (IS there such a thing?) this might be a bit, um, frivolous. Journaling? I dunno. Sure is pretty though. I really like it. Good manners too. Hmm. Better a little blue than too much yellow, I'm thinkin'.

 

BTW: excuse my rudeness...many thanks for the excellent review. Well done.

Edited June 8, 2015 by Blackhorse

[Frank C]

I like all of the Iroshizuku inks. I like this one, but it is not one of my favorites. Thanks for the review.

[Quadratus]

Yet another wonderful Iroshizuku colour. A confident, joyous green, with good shading and plenty of depth. Mme Kiyomi Hasegawa, the creator of these marvellous inks, is a true genius!

[Uncial]

I can't seem to settle on whether I like this ink or not. It's been in my Lamy for a couple of weeks now and some days I write with it and think I like the blue aspect; other days I write with it and think, meh, it's just green.

[bone215]

a beautiful and wonderful performing ink, it is subtle, and will change its color to suit itself.

 

enjoy

[lionheartlee]

I currently have this in my Eco Xf...love the look of the ink while looking trough the barrel. But i will be honest, not the biggest fan of the look out of the extra fine nib. It is just too idk dull might be the word. I've contemplated pushing it back into the bottle than filling up a wetter pen. Anyways thanks for the review!

[amberleadavis]

@visvamitra the image links are no longer working.  Do you still have the images?