Sailor Manyo Ink Bottle (Aka-Mai - 50 ML) 13-2009-306 (Limited Edition)

Sailor Manyo Ink Bottle (Aka-Mai - 50 ML) 13-2009-306 (Limited Edition)

• Name / variant: Sailor Manyo Aka?Mai (ancient rice)

• Product / catalog code: 13?2009?306 — part of Manyo’s fourth edition, of which some variants are limited edition (Aka?Mai is one of the limited?quantity releases) 

• Line theme: In the fourth edition Manyo series, Sailor includes “regular” colors (e.g. SUMOMO, NAGI, BUDO, KURI, AZUKI) and several limited food?themed colors: Aka?Mai, Takenoko, Kaki, Uri, Nobiru. Aka?Mai refers to Kodai?Mai, the earliest rice introduced to Japan — hence the ink is tied to the food / cultural motif in Manyo #4.

• Bottle style: The standard Manyo 50?mL square glass bottle; specifications for the series list size W 53 × D 44 × H 70?mm, weight 203.0?g when filled. 

• Bottle opening / usable diameter: 20.6?mm (typical Manyo 50?mL spec) 

• Packaging: Includes a paperboard box (approx. 55 × 47 × 76?mm) according to Manyo general specs. 

Color, Behavior & Visual Qualities

• Base hue / tone:
   Aka?Mai is described by Goulet as a “deep, earthy tone” inspired by ancient rice — i.e. a muted brownish or earthy shade. 
   Papeterie Makkura describes it as a “delicate mauve?pink hue that evokes the ancient rice ‘Kodai?Mai’” — soft pinkish nuance, with subtle color complexity.

• Shading & nuance:
   Aka?Mai is noted for beautiful nuance and interesting shading — lighter strokes may show pink or mauve hints; heavier strokes shift toward deeper, earthy browns.
   JetPens review notes that depending on paper, the ink can lean toward brown or cooler tones, and that in pools there might even be a hint of purple. 

• Shimmer / glitter:
   No shimmer — the product listing explicitly states “Shimmer: No.”

• Sheen / halo effects:
   While no glitter particles are present, some sources (Papeterie Makkura) attribute “Sheen: YES” in their listing for Aka?Mai, suggesting that under certain conditions, subtle sheening or halo effects may emerge.

• Water resistance / permanence:
   This is a dye ink. It is not water-resistant — exposure to water will likely cause fading or washout.

• Flow / fast drying:
   Aka?Mai is not fast-drying (i.e. slower), per the Goulet listing. 
   The default Manyo spec notes that the inks are water-based dye inks (not pigmented, not iron?gall) across the catalog.

Use, Pen Behavior & Performance Notes

• Compatibility: Safe to use in fountain pens, converters, etc., being a dye-based ink (no particulate solids).

• Flow / Wetness: Described as “smooth-flowing” in the Goulet listing.

• Start / reliability: No widespread reports of skipping; the listing and vendors treat it as a standard Manyo ink.

• Drying / speed: Because Aka?Mai leans toward muted tones and includes subtle shading, heavy or saturated strokes may take longer to dry. The listing confirms “Fast Drying: No.” 

• Feathering / bleed / show-through:
   On fountain?pen?friendly paper, behavior should be controlled (minimal feathering). On more absorbent or low-grade paper, subtle shading and nuance may be spoiled, with potential show-through in heavy strokes.
   JetPens notes it “won’t feather on cheaper paper either,” suggesting it has acceptable tolerance.

• Cleaning / maintenance: As a dye ink without shimmer or pigment, it should flush clean with typical pen maintenance without heavy residue buildup.

Thematic & Aesthetic Appeal

• Cultural / poetic concept:
   Aka?Mai is tied to Kodai?Mai, the first rice introduced into Japan historically, linking the ink to ancient food culture and Heian-period life. The Manyo food-themed inks are meant as color homages to what nourished people — both aristocrats and commoners — in early Japanese history.

• Mood & usage suggestion:
   Because of its muted, earthy tone with subtle color complexity, Aka?Mai is suited to expressive writing, poetry, journaling, or artistic scripts. It’s less likely to be used for stark contrast text but more for emotional nuance.
   Its soft, nostalgic character makes it appealing when the writer seeks a color with gentle warmth rather than brightness.

• Collector value / limited nature:
   Being a limited-edition variant in the Manyo #4 series, Aka?Mai may become harder to find, increasing interest among ink collectors.