As we move into Pilot’s Iroshizuku line, a word is in order regarding this amazing company. From the G2 rollerball, one of the best selling pens in the world, to $30,000 urushi pens (a Japanese art requiring six months of fine layers of lacquer every day), Pilot produces some outstanding products. The Iroshizuku ink line is no exception. Each of these inks is incredibly well-behaved, luxurious, and phenomenal in their hues. You’ll pretty much be hearing only good things for the next couple of weeks.

Also, a word about my Japanese characters in the ink swatch: they’re not meant to be accurate; they’re just artistic impressions of a language I am not able to write.