Kakimori x TSUKI no IRO Mini Ink Bottle Set (Jan-Jun)

Six small ink bottles, six months, one clear idea: The inks in this collaboration between Tokyo stationery specialist Kakimori and the Hobonichi TSUKI no IRO series are precisely matched to the twelve monthly colours of the Hobonichi Techo – this set covers January through June. The water-based pigment ink sits in a glass bottle with aluminium cap, is water-resistant and lightfast – properties that really matter for diaries and long-term documents.

Features

• Six coordinated monthly colours: January – Mandarin Orange, February – Brown Black, March – Plum Purple, April – Poppy Red, May – Avocado Green, June – Green Black. Each ink corresponds to the print colour of the respective month in the Hobonichi Techo.
• Water-based pigment ink – water-resistant and lightfast: Pigment ink works differently from dye ink: colour particles settle on the paper surface rather than soaking in. The result is a line that won't fade from moisture or prolonged light exposure – ideal for anything that needs to remain legible long-term. Not archivally permanent in the strict sense, but excellent for private long-term use.
• Glass bottle with aluminium cap: The glass displays the ink colour faithfully, and the aluminium cap seals securely without corroding. For fountain pen users working with small bottles: Kakimori's narrow bottle-neck design is refill-friendly.
• Kakimori collaboration: Kakimori is a specialist shop in Tokyo dedicated to inks and paper. The ink blends were developed in close coordination with the Hobonichi Techo's print colours – not merely colour similarity, but precise colour matching.
• Made in Japan.

Use & Tips

• In the Hobonichi Techo: The six inks allow for colour-coherent monthly design – headings, markings or marginal notes in the respective monthly colour blend seamlessly with the Techo's printed design. Particularly striking on monthly calendar pages and daily spreads.
• For fountain pens: Water-based pigment inks don't suit all fountain pens equally well. Fountain pens with wide ink systems and easily rinseable converters (e.g. TWSBI with piston mechanism) are a good choice. Regular flushing of the pen – especially with rarely used colours – prevents clogging.
• For glass nibs and dip pens: Pigment ink works brilliantly with glass nibs and corrosion-resistant steel dip pens. The viscosity of pigment ink produces rich, opaque lines with sharp edge definition.
• As an annual archive: The combination of lightfastness and water-resistance makes these inks a solid choice for bullet journal pages, diaries or handwritten letters intended to be kept.
• Colour system throughout the year: Those who own both sets (Jan–Jun and Jul–Dec) have all twelve Hobonichi Techo monthly colours available as ink – a complete, seasonally coordinated colour system.

For Ink Enthusiasts

Kakimori is renowned in the Japanese stationery world for precise ink development and high colour consistency. Water-based pigment inks differ fundamentally from dye inks in their particle structure: rather than dissolved colour molecules, they contain suspended pigment particles that form a lightfast layer on the paper surface after drying. Colour saturation remains more stable than with dye-based inks, and water-resistance is inherent without additional fixatives. For more sensitive fountain pen mechanisms: always flush pigment inks promptly and don't leave them sitting unused in the pen for weeks.

Technical Specifications