Pilot Iroshizuku Fountain Pen Ink 15ml - Tsuki-yo (Moonlit Night)
Tsuki-yo translates from Japanese as "moonlit night," and it earns the name. When wet, this ink presents as a deep, rich blue-black. As it dries, it shifts subtly toward a dark teal, with hints of blue-green emerging - the same quality of colour you might observe in a night sky caught between cloud and moonlight. On premium papers, larger swabs can coax out a faint red sheen, though it remains an understated effect rather than a showpiece one.
The Iroshizuku line was launched by Pilot in December 2007, and has since become one of the most respected ink collections in the world of fine writing. Each colour takes its name from a specific natural phenomenon, plant, or landscape in Japan - not merely as a naming convention, but as a genuine inspiration for the hue itself. Tsuki-yo is one of the collection's most enduring favourites, sitting comfortably between a professional dark blue and something with genuine character.
Performance
Tsuki-yo dries in approximately 15 seconds on quality paper — a reliable, middle-of-the-road dry time consistent with the rest of the Iroshizuku line. Saturation is high, and the ink is dark enough that it holds up reasonably well to mild water exposure. It runs on the wet side, which makes it a good match for a range of nib sizes, and cleaning is straightforward, though the depth of colour means you should expect to flush the pen thoroughly.
On cheaper or uncoated paper, fine-nibbed pens perform without issue, but very wet nibs may produce slight feathering or bleedthrough. For best results, pair with quality fountain pen paper such as Rhodia, Clairefontaine, or Tomoe River.
The bottle
The 15ml bottle is made from heavy, clear glass with a classic, refined shape designed to look at home on a desk or display shelf. The opening is wide enough to accommodate most fountain pen nibs, including larger ones, making the filling process easy and clean. The base features a small conical recess at the centre - a thoughtful detail that allows you to tilt the bottle and gather the last of the ink as levels drop, minimising waste.
The 15ml size is well suited to those who enjoy rotating through several inks, or who want to try Tsuki-yo before committing to a larger bottle. It fits easily into a pen case for travel.
In summary
Tsuki-yo is the kind of ink that works as hard as it looks good. It suits everything from daily correspondence to considered journaling, and is equally at home in a slim fine-nibbed pen on the desk at work as it is in a broader nib on a slower afternoon. For anyone drawn to serious, elegant blues with a little depth to them, it is difficult to look past.
Specifications
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Soft armchair
$420.00
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