Momiji - 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

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

Momiji is named after autumnal leaves of japanese maple.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/79/AcerPalmatum2.jpg/1280px-AcerPalmatum2.jpg

It's too pinkish to my taste.

http://imageshack.com/a/img909/2844/GgsfmW.jpg

Drops of ink on kitchen towel

http://imageshack.com/a/img538/6228/QcIebq.jpg

Chromatografia

http://imageshack.com/a/img673/5523/cyCztK.jpg

Software ID

http://imageshack.com/a/img537/9408/eMExUh.jpg

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

http://imageshack.com/a/img540/6919/UfHHX8.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img661/6049/7sxdRc.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img673/5049/QdhDLK.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img661/7844/YvB95d.jpg

Kalendarz, Kaweco Sport Classic, B i Hero 5028 1,9 stub

http://imageshack.com/a/img538/442/S6eoXt.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img537/3397/RsEiLO.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img673/5104/PpQv8g.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img913/4844/PlaQDb.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img540/8200/KzvP2S.jpg

Edited May 16, 2015 by visvamitra

[Uncial]

There is always something very, very strange about reviews of this ink. I've seen some that complain of the over-presence of pink and others that complain of the purple undertone. I really like this ink and have used it quite a lot, but not in many pens (maybe about three and all very wet writers). However, on the whole, I don't get the same colour that I get on the screen here. I do get a slight pink tinge around the edges, but I find it quite a complex deep red with a slightly purple tone. On seeing this I immediately went searching for my ink log and the various books I had used this ink in and found that it is nice and dark (but still bright if that makes any sense! 'Rich' is possibly a better word) on slightly absorbent paper and a tiny bit more pink and lighter on papers like Clairefontaine. So, then I took a swab to it and the only way I can get it to show very pink is with a dry dip swab, pressed firmly on the paper.

 

There are points in your review above that come quite close to what I experience of it, but I am wondering if even a slightly drier nib can make this appear very, very different?

[ehemem]

I found this too pink for my taste as well. It was one of the first Iroshizuku inks I bought. I much prefer Fuyu-Gaki to this ink.

[mhosea]

Momiji definitely needs a wet-writing pen to reach its potential. Without that it presents as an uninteresting pink. You need that saturation to bring out its redness. Given the array of blues, browns, and greens, it's interesting that the Iroshizuku line lacks a true red.

[amberleadavis]

I had two samples and was disappointed. Then, a sale happened and I bought a full bottle. I was still bored. Then, I got it into a wet nib. WOW. Now, I'm a fan.

[amberleadavis]

Warning, Momiji is a fader.

[Uncial]

This is it in a wet nib (but not super wet; looks even better in those)

[visvamitra]

Looks much better indeed

[Uncial]

It's on a very absorbent paper there. Has a little more bright red to it when on Rhodia and suchlike. It's dreadful on Tomoe - a flat pink.

[jmccarty3]

I found this too pink for my taste as well. It was one of the first Iroshizuku inks I bought. I much prefer Fuyu-Gaki to this ink.

 

My experience was identical.

[BastardSecretary]

I have to agree. On good, nonabsorbent paper it looks great coming off the nib, but it dries to a sort of disappointed watermelon.

Edited December 29, 2016 by BastardSecretary

[Barkingpig]

I THOUGHT I would appreciate this ink after seeing examples shown here, after receipt I filled ONE pen, did not like it & recently sent it away to a friend who hopefully will enjoy it more. I also included Yama Buda for the same reason. Those two were inks whose colors I have enjoyed in other inks, but not in the Iroshizuku, despite being pleased with perhaps four other Iroshizuku colors. Great ink, just not the colors I enjoyed.

[inkstainedruth]

I've been curious about trying this one. My experience with Iroshihzuku inks in general have been hit or miss; I've tried Tsutsuji, and it's really pretty eye-searing, and in general the line seems to be invariably wet inks.

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth