Sailor Manyo Ink Bottle (Azuki - 50 ML) 13-2009-225

Sailor Manyo Ink Bottle (Azuki - 50 ML) 13-2009-225

Sailor’s Manyo ink line draws inspiration from Many?sh? (the “Collection of Ten Thousand Leaves”), one of Japan’s oldest poetry anthologies, weaving together nature, seasonal motifs, and poetic imagery. The fourth edition of Manyo inks includes Azuki (red bean) as a central color, pairing the visual tone with cultural and historical symbolism tied to Heian-period cuisine and poetry.

Azuki (adzuki / red bean) is a staple in Japanese culinary tradition, often sweetened in modern confections but in older times consumed unsweetened or with salt. The ink aims to evoke a deep, earthy red — like the hue of the bean itself — with subtle variation and expressive depth.

Physical & Packaging Specifications

• Volume: 50?mL

• Bottle form: Square glass bottle, standard Manyo 50 mL dimensions (approx. 53 × 44 × 70 mm)

• Weight (filled): ~?203?g (bottle + ink)

• Bottle opening / usable diameter: ~?20.6 mm

• Outer packaging: Paperboard box (approx. 55 × 47 × 76 mm)

• Ink type: Water?based dye ink (non?pigmented) — safe for fountain pens

• Barcode / EAN: 49?01680?19829?1

• Edition status: Part of the fourth edition “regular items” (Azuki is included among the regular colors in that set)

Color, Behavior & Visual Traits

• Base Hue / Impression
   Azuki is a deep, earthy red — warm and muted rather than bright scarlet. It reflects the tone of red beans rather than bold lip red.

• Shading / Nuance
   The ink exhibits medium shading: lighter strokes show softer, dusty red tones; heavier / saturated strokes deepen into richer burgundy or mahogany shades.

• Shimmer / Glitter
   Azuki does not include shimmer or metallic particles — its interest lies in shading and tonal depth.

• Sheen / Halo Effects
   It is generally described as no sheen (i.e. no glossy metallic overtones) in official specifications.

• Water Resistance
   None — being a dye ink, exposure to water will degrade the color or cause washing / smudging.

• Drying & Flow
   The ink is smooth-flowing but is not fast-drying, particularly in heavier strokes or on more absorbent paper.

Performance & Practical Use

• Flow / Feel
   Azuki tends to flow reliably, though some users report it to be somewhat “dry” in certain pens or nibs, making it better suited for pens with generous ink flow (wet nibs) or broader tips.

• Start / Reliability
   No widespread issues of skipping or starting are reported in typical use.

• Feathering / Bleed / Show-through
   On quality fountain-pen-friendly papers, behavior is generally good. However, on lower-quality or highly absorbent paper, the muted red tone may lose clarity or show-through could become more evident.

• Cleaning / Maintenance
   Because it is dye-based and particle-free, it is easier to flush clean from feeds and converters without major residue.

• User Impressions
   One user noted that in fine nibs, Azuki can appear faint or muddy (“muddy purple-brown”) rather than the expected red.
   Another user observed it to be relatively dry and best suited for pens with generous ink delivery.
   Community commentary also notes that Azuki can lean more violet or brown in some settings, depending heavily on paper and pen combination.
   > “It’s on the dry side, better to be used in generous feeds.”

Aesthetic Appeal & Recommended Use

• Mood & Character
   Azuki strikes a balance between intensity and subtlety — suitable for poetic, reflective writing, journaling, or drawing mood by tone rather than brightness. Its red hue carries warmth without flash.

• Pen & Nib Pairing Advice
   To best show its shading and depth, pair Azuki with wetter pens or nibs (e.g. medium / broad). In dry or fine nibs, the color may appear muted or less expressive.

• Paper Recommendations
   Use high-quality, low-absorption paper (Tomoe River, Rhodia, etc.) to preserve color gradation and avoid dully absorbing the tone.

• Comparison / Special Context
   Azuki is one of the core “regular” colors in Manyo’s fourth edition palette (alongside Sumomo, Nagi, Budo, Kuri).
   Because red inks often polarize, Azuki offers a more restrained and elegant red — one that whispers rather than shouts.