Pilot Fountain Pen Ink Iroshizuku "Chiku-rin" (15ml)
Pilot Iroshizuku "Chiku-rin" is a water-based dye ink from Japan – yellow-green like light filtering through a dense bamboo forest. The colour shifts between warm yellow-green and rich plant green, depending on the paper and nib, with distinctly visible shading. The Iroshizuku collection has existed in its present form since Pilot's earliest days and continues to be manufactured in Japan today.
Features
- Characteristic shading: "Chiku-rin" displays an even yellow-green on absorbent paper, whilst on smooth, calendered paper it shows distinct light-to-dark gradations within a single stroke – particularly beautiful when used with broad nibs or stub nibs.
- Water-based dye ink: Flows smoothly and without residue build-up in the feed. Not archival and not waterproof – the dye is water-soluble.
- Clear glass bottle without reservoir indentation: The 15 ml clear glass bottle provides excellent visibility of the ink level. As there is no reservoir indentation, tilting the bottle is recommended when emptying the last drops.
- Compatibility: Water-based with mild pH – compatible with all standard fountain pens, piston converters and plunger fillers.
Use & Tips
- Nib recommendation: On smooth, ink-resistant paper, fine and medium nibs reveal the ink's colour depth most clearly; broad nibs and stub-like cuts allow the shading between upstrokes and downstrokes to stand out distinctly.
- Paper and effect: On highly absorbent paper, the colour appears flatter and more uniform – ideal for legible everyday writing. On Tomoe River paper, the ink develops its full luminosity and characteristic wet sheen whilst writing.
- Using the last drops: Since the 15 ml bottle has no reservoir indentation, tilt the bottle slightly when refilling or position a converter directly against the bottle's side.
- Care: Dye inks generally rinse out easily – rinsing with lukewarm water after extended standing time is sufficient for most fountain pens.
For Ink Enthusiasts
"Chiku-rin" (竹林, bamboo grove) is part of the Iroshizuku collection, whose name derives from the Japanese words "Iro" (colour) and "Shizuku"