Sailor Shikiori Ink Bottle (Miruai - 20ML) 13-1008-204

Sailor Shikiori Ink Bottle (Miruai - 20ML) 13-1008-204

Sailor Shikiori “Miruai” — 20?mL Ink (13?1008?204)

Inspiration & Naming

• The Shikiori series (“???”, or “Four Seasons Weaving”) from Sailor is designed to evoke seasonal scenes and natural imagery from Japan.

• “Miruai” (???) is often translated as seaweed indigo or sea?pine blue — a name that suggests a deep marine green?blue shade, reflecting the tones of underwater foliage, sea moss, or deep coastal water.

Color & Visual Behavior

• Base Hue / Tone:
   Miruai is described as a very dark green, with subtle blue undertones. In some lights or heavier saturation, it approaches a blue?black or dark teal impression.

• Darkening on Drying:
   Some users note that the ink appears darker after drying or in concentrated strokes, giving it more depth and slight shift toward blackish tones.

• Shading & Variation:
   Because of its dark base, shading is more subtle but still present — lighter areas may show a greener tone, while saturated strokes lean more blue?black.

• Sheen / Secondary Effects:
   Miruai is not listed as a shimmer ink (i.e. no metallic particulates) in specifications.
   However, depending on paper and ink load, mild sheen or glow in dense strokes might appear.

Physical & Packaging Details

• Volume / Capacity: 20?mL (glass bottle) 

• Ink Type: Water?based dye ink (non?pigmented)

• Bottle Dimensions: W 34 × D 34 × H 58?mm

• Packaging / Outer Box Size: ~?37.5 × 37.5 × 61 mm (paperboard)

• Barcode / EAN: 49?01680?18464?5

• Manufacturer / Origin: Sailor, Japan (Shikiori line)

• Retail / Price Example: Onlinemantra lists Miruai 20?mL at ?1,476.30 (though prices vary)

Performance & Usage Behavior

• Flow & Behavior:
   Miruai is described as “very well behaved,” with good flow, and easy to rinse out of pens.

• Start?up / Reliability: No notable reports of hard starts in vendor descriptions.

• Paper / Feathering / Bleed:
   On high-quality paper, the ink behaves well, with minimal feathering. On lower quality, more absorbent paper, heavier strokes may bleed or lose subtlety. (Some user reports mention feathering issues on non-premium paper.)

• Water Resistance:
   Not water-resistant. Exposure to water will likely degrade or wash away portions of the ink.

• Drying Characteristics:
   Because of its dark and saturated nature, drying times may be moderate to slow, particularly on ink?friendly or smooth papers.

• Cleaning & Maintenance:
   Being a dye ink and not heavily saturated with particulate matter, it is relatively easy to flush and clean from fountain pens.

Appeal & Use Cases

• Mood & Aesthetic:
   Miruai is suited for those wanting a deep, moody green-blue tone — something darker and more serious than typical greens, but with character and complexity.

• Formal / Daily Use:
   Because of its dark character, in many contexts it may pass in formal use as a blue-black alternative while giving a distinct undertone.

• Creative / Expressive Writing:
   The dark-shaded nature makes it good for journaling, letter?writing, poetry — places where the nuance and depth of ink tone contribute to atmosphere.

• Best Pen & Nib Pairing:
   Medium to broad nibs and wetter pens will better reveal tonal variation; very fine or dry nibs may render it flatter.

• Paper Preference:
   High-quality, smooth, fountain pen–friendly paper will show its best — reducing bleed, preserving depth, and bringing out subtle tone distinctions.

• Collector / Discontinuation Note:
   The Shikiori bottled ink line is being discontinued, per Sailor’s product listing.