Pilot Iroshizuku Inks Review: Japan’s Finest Fountain Pen Inks

Introduction: Why Pilot Iroshizuku Inks Are a Global Sensation The world of fountain pens is full of beautiful inks, but few collections have captured global admiration the way Pilot Iroshizuku has. Created by Pilot Japan, Iroshizuku inks are celebrated for their fluid performance, exceptional colour richness, poetic names, and Japanese heritage. Every Iroshizuku bottle is a tribute to the beauty of Japan — its landscapes, seasons, forests, mountains, flowers, and natural elements. In 2025, Pilot Iroshizuku has become the gold standard of premium fountain pen inks. Whether you are a writer, artist, calligrapher, collector, or corporate executive, Iroshizuku inks elevate the writing experience to an entirely different emotional and aesthetic level. This detailed review covers everything you must know: All Iroshizuku colors Color characteristics Writing behaviour Specifications Performance on different pens To whom each colour is suited for How Iroshizuku compares with other ink brands Let’s explore the most beautiful ink collection Japan has ever created. What Makes Pilot Iroshizuku Inks Unique? 1. Exceptional Flow & Writing Comfort Iroshizuku inks are engineered for perfect lubrication. They glide smoothly across nibs, making writing effortless even on fine nibs. This flow quality reduces nib scratchiness and enhances line consistency. 2. Vibrant, Natural Colour Palette What sets Iroshizuku apart is its Japanese-inspired colour stories — each shade reflects a true element from nature. 3. Premium Glass Bottle Design The iconic Iroshizuku bottle is: Handcrafted Thick, stable, luxurious Designed with a filling reservoir well A desk-worthy aesthetic object 4. Safe for All Fountain Pens Iroshizuku inks are: pH-balanced Dye-based, not pigment-based Easy to clean Gentle on feeds and converters Perfect for premium fountain pens like Pilot Custom series, Montblanc, Pelikan, Platinum, Lamy, TWSBI, and more. 5. Quick Drying Yet Shading-Friendly A rare balance: Fast drying Visible shading Excellent colour dynamics Minimal feathering Technical Specifications of Pilot Iroshizuku Inks Brand: Pilot (Japan) Ink Type: Dye-based premium ink Volume: 50 ml standard glass bottle, 15 ml mini bottles Bottle Design: Hand-blown glass with dip-well pH Level: Gentle, pen-safe Drying Time: 8–14 seconds, depending on paper Shading: High Sheen: Moderate to high depending on colours Water Resistance: Low–medium Feathering: Minimal Suitable For: Fountain pens, dip pens, brush pens Complete List of Pilot Iroshizuku Ink Colours Pilot Iroshizuku has over 24 iconic colours inspired by Japanese landscapes. Here is the full list with detailed descriptions. Blue Family 1. Asa-Gao (Morning Glory Blue) A vivid, radiant blue with excellent shading. Perfect for: Professional writing, journaling Tone: Clean, fresh, bright 2. Tsuki-yo (Moonlit Night Blue-Black) A deep midnight blue with teal undertones. Suitable for: Executive use, formal documents Tone: Sophisticated, subtle, moody 3. Shin-kai (Deep Sea Blue) A refined blue-black with graphite undertones. Highly recommended for: Office writing Tone: Elegant, muted 4. Kon-peki (Cerulean Ocean Blue) One of the most famous Iroshizuku inks — bright, vibrant, joyful. Great for: Signatures, personal notes Tone: Saturated azure 5. Ajisai (Hydrangea Blue) A soft blue with purple hints. Ideal for: Creative writing, art Tone: Gentle, calming 6. Ama-iro (Sky Blue) A bright sapphire blue, leaning slightly toward turquoise. Tone: Playful Green Family 7. Shin-ryoku (Forest Green) A deep emerald reminiscent of lush Japanese forests. Tone: Rich, elegant Perfect for: Artistic journaling, nature-inspired writing 8. Chiku-rin (Bamboo Forest Green) A fresh yellow-green. Tone: Energetic, spring-like Suitable for: Sketching, creativity 9. Syo-ro (Dew on Pine Needle Green) A green-black with blue depth. Tone: Mysterious, luxurious Ideal for: Corporate writers who want uniqueness Red, Pink & Burgundy Family 10. Momiji (Autumn Leaves Red) A striking bright red inspired by Japanese maple. Tone: Festive, bold Perfect for: Marking, highlighting, calligraphy 11. Yu-yake (Sunset Orange) A vivid warm orange reflecting evening skies. Tone: Lively, dramatic Great for: Creative expression 12. Fuyu-gaki (Winter Persimmon Orange) A softer, pastel orange. Tone: Friendly, cheerful Good for: Journaling 13. Kosumosu (Cosmos Flower Pink) A beautiful light pink with visible shading. Tone: Feminine, romantic Ideal for: Personal journal entries, cards 14. Tsutsuji (Azalea Pink) A vibrant magenta pink. Tone: Energetic, bold Great for: Artistic lettering Brown, Sepia & Warm Earth Tones 15. Ina-ho (Rice Ear Golden Brown) A shimmering golden-brown shade unlike any other ink. Tone: Elegant, earthy Favoured by: Calligraphers and artists 16. Tsukushi (Horsetail Brown) Warm, reddish brown. Tone: Vintage, nostalgic Great for: Journaling, sketching 17. Yama-guri (Wild Chestnut Brown) A deep rich brown approaching black. Tone: Mature, professional Perfect for: Business writing Purple & Violet Family 18. Murasaki-shikibu (Japanese Purple) Medium purple with superb shading. Tone: Sophisticated Great for: Letter writing 19. Yama-budo (Crimson Grape Purple) One of the most beloved inks in the collection — bright purple-burgundy. Tone: Luxurious, expressive Perfect for: Notes, invitations, expressive writing Grey, Black & Neutral Tones 20. Kiri-same (Autumn Shower Grey) A misty, atmospheric grey with shading. Tone: Minimalistic Ideal for: Artistic journaling 21. Fuyu-syogun (Winter Commander Grey) A cool, muted grey-blue. Tone: Subtle, refined Perfect for: Minimalist writing 22. Take-sumi (Bamboo Charcoal Black) A deep, velvety black with shading depth. Tone: Premium, clean Great for: Professional documents Yellow & Light Earth Tones 23. Yu-yake (Sunset Orange) Strong orange, emotional and warm. 24. Ina-ho (Golden Rice Ear) Rich gold-brown as mentioned above — still unmatched. (Note: Pilot releases occasional limited editions; above list refers to primary core collection.) Detailed Performance Review of Pilot Iroshizuku Inks 1. Flow & Lubrication Iroshizuku inks are highly lubricated, making them ideal for: Extra Fine and Fine nibs too Dry-writing pens Vintage pens Japanese nibs They improve nib smoothness noticeably. 2. Shading Behaviour Many colours (like Yama-budo, Kon-peki, Shin-ryoku) create beautiful gradient transitions within a single stroke. 3. Sheen Tsuki-yo → Blue-black sheen Yama-budo → Pink-purple sheen Kon-peki → Occasional red sheen on good paper 4. Bleeding & Feathering Minimal on: Rhodia Nakabayashi Moleskine Tomoe River Midori Premium notebooks May feather slightly on low-quality office paper due to high flow. 5. Drying Time Average: 8–14 secondsSlightly longer on coated papers. 6. Water Resistance Moderate — these are dye-based, so not permanent inks. 7. Compatibility with Pens Safe for: Gold nib pens Steel nib pens Piston fillers Cartridge-converter pens Vintage pens High-value writing instruments Who Should Use Which Iroshizuku Ink? For Corporate Professionals Take-sumi – Best formal black Shin-kai – Ideal executive blue-black Tsuki-yo – Sophisticated professional tone For Writers & Journalers Kon-peki – Inspires creativity Yama-budo – Emotional and expressive Momiji – For vibrant journaling For Artists Ina-ho – Golden artistic tone Shin-ryoku – Nature sketching Chiku-rin – Light creative illustrations For Calligraphers Yama-guri – Deep shading Murasaki-shikibu – Rich tone Fuyu-gaki – Pastel vibrance Comparison: Pilot Iroshizuku vs Other Premium Inks Iroshizuku vs Montblanc Iroshizuku offers more colour variety Montblanc offers more water resistance Both are premium, safe, and luxurious Iroshizuku vs Diamine Diamine offers massive variety Iroshizuku has more refined, nature-inspired palettes Iroshizuku vs Sailor Sailor has more sheen Iroshizuku has smoother flow Iroshizuku vs J. Herbin Herbin is lighter and delicate Iroshizuku is more saturated and bold Why Pilot Iroshizuku Inks Are Loved Worldwide 1. Luxury Without Being Overpriced Premium quality comparable to elite ink brands—yet accessible. 2. Japanese Nature-Inspired Aesthetics Each ink is a piece of cultural storytelling. 3. Perfect for Daily Writing They are not overly saturated; they behave beautifully in practical writing. 4. Safe on All Pens Users trust Iroshizuku in: Vintage pens High-end pens Rare collectible pens 5. Beautiful Bottles The bottles themselves are collectibles and desk décor. Buying Guide: Which Iroshizuku Ink Should You Choose? Best for Offices Shin-kai Tsuki-yo Take-sumi Best for Signatures Kon-peki Yama-budo Best for Journaling Momiji Kosumosu Ajisai Best for Artists Ina-ho Chiku-rin Shin-ryoku Why Buy Pilot Iroshizuku Inks from Makoba Makoba offers: 100% authentic Pilot Iroshizuku inks All colours in stock Corporate + gifting-friendly packaging Fast India-wide delivery Expert recommendations Premium fountain pens to pair with these inks Whether you're a writer, collector, or gifting enthusiast, Makoba ensures an elevated shopping experience for luxury stationery. Conclusion: Pilot Iroshizuku Inks Are Japan’s Gift to the World of Writing Pilot Iroshizuku inks combine: Cultural depth Emotional storytelling Exceptional technical performance Smooth flow Beautiful shading Stunning colour palettes For fountain pen lovers, these inks turn writing into an experience, not just a task. From the iconic Kon-peki to the majestic Yama-budo and the calming Shin-kai, each colour is a world of its own — making Iroshizuku the most beautiful Japanese ink collection ever created.