The Scriptorium

  • 30 April 2024 – Pilot Iroshizuku Shin-kai

    This was my original “daily ink” when my journey into fountain pens, ink, and stationery began. It is a lovely, subtle, linen blue. It’s not (surprisingly) the most saturated blue, but it has just the right amount of saturation for the inspiring linen shade it share with writers and readers.

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  • 29 April 2024 – Pilot Iroshizuku Murasaki-shikibu

    You won’t find many criticisms of Iroshizuku ink. If there are any, it’s that there are “only” twenty-four inks in this amazing line. But that’s hardly a criticism, as today’s incredible purple shows. List all the things you want in a solid purple ink, and then I dare you to tell me this ink doesn’t

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  • 28 April 2024 – Pilot Iroshizuku Ku-jaku

    Back to the turquoise department for all you peacock blue fans out there. Another lovely color, lays down wet and smooth and without any trouble whatsoever. These inks are simply a joy to write with,

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  • 27 April 2024 – Pilot Iroshizuku Kon-peki

    If there’s an ink in the Iroshizuku line that approaches the “Goulet Blue”, Brian thinks it’s Kon-peki, and I tend to agree. It’s a bold and bright announcement of anything it is used to express, and I’m a fan.

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  • 26 April 2024 – Pilot Iroshizuku Kiri-same

    This grey is less blue, and a bit more black than Fuyu-syogun. But once again, Pilot has nailed it, and even with some shading!

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  • 25 April 2024 – Pilot Iroshizuku Fuyu-syogun

    Fuyu-syogun, or “old man winter”, is the first of two grey inks in my Iroshizuku collection, and just like tomorrow’s… I like it! If anybody is going to get grey ink right, it’s Pilot. The recent comments I’ve made when exploring grey ink make me somewhat want to try them all (though I’d be loathe

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  • 24 April 2024 – Pilot Iroshizuku Asa-gao

    “Stunning” is just about the most accurate word for this beautiful blue. So smooth and wet and gorgeous.

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  • 23 April 2024 – Pilot Iroshizuku Ama-iro

    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

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  • 22 April 2024 – Pelikan Edelstein Star Ruby

    More saturated and more vibrant than yesterday’s Rose Quartz, this ink pretty much puts Rose Quartz out of business as far as I’m concerned.

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  • 21 April 2024 – Pelikan Edelstein Rose Quartz

    This ink is both saturated and nice! Plus, when I googled “rose quartz” for the quotes, it turns out there’s a character named Rose Quartz. Who knew?

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An Ink-a-Day Project for 2023

Including a Calendar of Days, cocktails to celebrate throughout the year, and a avian journey of taxonomic discovery!

Watch this site for additional pursuits from the choirmaster.



“The unexamined life is not worth living.”

Socrates

The Choirmaster’s Pursuits