Pilot Iroshizuku Fountain Pen Ink "Tsutsuji" (15ml)

Tsutsuji – Japanese for azalea – represents the vibrant, warm pink displayed by flowering azalea shrubs in spring. The Pilot Iroshizuku Tsutsuji is a water-based fountain pen ink with rich, luminous rosy pink colour, supplied in 15 ml in the characteristic glass bottle of the Iroshizuku collection. The collection traces back to Ryosuke Namiki, who began developing his own inks in 1918 – since then, formulations have been refined and the colour spectrum expanded.

Features

• Colour and shading: Tsutsuji displays a rich azalea pink that shifts subtly from darker to lighter pink with wet nibs or broad writing strokes – an effect that becomes particularly visible on ink-resistant, smooth paper.
• Golden sheen on certain papers: On Tomoe River paper, the ink displays a golden sheen at pooling points and with very wet writing strokes – an additional visual detail that emerges with stub nibs and flex nibs.
• Wet, consistent ink flow: The ink flows freely and lubricates the nib well, which keeps writing steady and even during long writing sessions.
• Drying time approximately 30 seconds: On smooth, ink-resistant paper, the ink dries in roughly 30 seconds – fast enough for relaxed writing without accidental smudging.
• Not archival-rated, no water resistance: Tsutsuji is not archival-rated and not water-resistant. Moisture causes the colour to bleed – typical of water-based Iroshizuku inks.
• No shimmer, no pigment, no iron-gall content: The ink contains no particles and no iron gall; it is nib-friendly and rinses out without trouble.
• Glass bottle with flat base: The Iroshizuku bottle features a sloped bottom, allowing the last of the ink to be drawn up easily – convenient when filling short converters.

Use & Tips

• Journalling and creative writing: Tsutsuji suits diary entries, letters, and all writing projects where colour impact is desired. Readability remains good even alongside blue and black inks.
• Use shading effect intentionally: With a stub nib or flex nib on smooth, calendered paper, the ink shows the strongest shading effect – from light to deep pink within a single writing stroke.
• Golden sheen on Tomoe River: To experience the golden sheen, try the ink on Tomoe River paper with a wet, broad nib. The effect becomes most visible with ink pooling or at drip marks.
• Calligraphy and lettering: The fluid consistency and even flow make Tsutsuji an excellent choice for calligraphy practice with stub nibs – the pink produces clear, rich strokes with soft transitions.
• Storage: Seal the glass bottle firmly after use and keep out of direct sunlight to preserve colour intensity.

For Ink Enthusiasts

Within the Iroshizuku collection, Tsutsuji is the most vibrant pink – richer than the lighter Kosumosu and less shifted towards red than Momiji. On Tomoe River paper, the ink displays a golden sheen that does not occur in all colours in the Iroshizuku line, making Tsutsuji particularly interesting for sheen collectors. The water-based formulation without pigments or iron gall makes it universally compatible with all standard fountain pen materials – rubber sacs, piston mechanisms, and converters alike. On regular paper, the ink tends to feather with wet nibs; on ink-resistant, smooth paper it demonstrates its full colour potential without feathering.

Technical Specifications