ink-cafe™️ MEIJI NO IRO Glass Pen Ink 0.69 fl oz - Kuretake

Colors Inspired by Japan in 1902

A collection of colors inspired by Japan at the time Kuretake was founded.
Created to commemorate Kuretake’s 120th anniversary, this collection brings together six colors inspired by the culture, fashion, and atmosphere of Japan in 1902, the year Kuretake was founded.
Each shade captures a different aspect of Japan at the time, allowing you to enjoy not only the color as you write, but also the story and character behind it.
Designed for use with fountain pens and glass pens, these water-based pigment inks have obtained AP Mark certification.

Ebicha — Grape Brown

A deep reddish-brown with subtle purple undertones, inspired by a fashionable color in Japan in the early 20th century. At the time, purple was regarded as a noble color associated with the aristocracy. Ebicha, a deep reddish shade with a hint of purple, became a popular alternative to purple itself. The color was especially fashionable among female students, whose hakama in ebicha and budocha shades became a distinctive style of the era. A distinctive color with a story rooted in the Japan of 1902.

Araishu — Washed Vermilion

A soft, light vermilion inspired by traditional Japanese colors of the late Meiji era. The name refers to a vermilion that appears as though it has been “washed,” with its vividness softened and its color gently faded. A delicate take on vermilion, reflecting the renewed appreciation for traditional Japanese aesthetics of its time.

Shinbashi-iro — Shinbashi Blue-Green

A bright blue-green shade that became a fashionable color in Japan in the late Meiji era. Known as a “haikara” color—stylish, modern, and fashionable at the time—Shinbashi-iro became especially popular among the geisha of Shinbashi, one of Tokyo’s renowned entertainment districts. A vivid shade that captures the fresh, fashionable spirit of Japan at the turn of the 20th century.

Kurogane-iro — Iron Blue

A deep, muted blue-green that was popular in Japan from the late 19th century through the early 20th century. With its dark, subdued blue-green tone, Kurogane-iro was often used for the aprons worn by bank clerks and shop assistants. The name comes from the traditional Japanese word for iron, “kurogane,” meaning “black metal.” A quietly distinctive shade with a deep, understated character.

Kujaku-ryoku — Peacock Green

A vivid blue-green inspired by the brilliant feathers of a peacock. In the Meiji era, this striking color was introduced to Japan from the West. Its vivid blue-green hue recalls the beautiful plumage of the peacock. Peacocks had long been admired in Japan, and their presence became increasingly familiar among the general public during the Edo period. Yet, intriguingly, no color bearing the name “peacock” is thought to have appeared in Japan until the Meiji era. A vivid shade that brings together the beauty of nature and the fresh colors of a changing Japan.

Shikon — Deep Purple

A rich, deep purple that became a fashionable color in Japan during the Meiji era. In the Meiji era, colors such as wisteria purple and purple remained popular among women’s clothing, carrying on the refined “iki” aesthetic of the Edo period. Purple became one of the defining fashionable colors of the era, leading the Meiji period to be described as a “time of purple.” A deep and elegant purple that carries the refined spirit of Edo into the changing world of Meiji Japan.