Fountain Pen Ink Recreating the Colors of Japanese Wildlife

The "Japanese Creatures" series, a collaboration between Sailor Pen and KINGDOM NOTE, features fountain pen inks that recreate the colors of Japanese wildlife. "Crustaceans" marks the fourth installment, following "Insects," "Wild Birds," and "Mushrooms." It is well-known among fans that the inks are conceived and produced in collaboration with Sailor Pen's charismatic ink blender, Haru Ishimaru.

The Crustacean series introduces five colors: Japanese Crayfish (blue variant) (Cambaroides japonicus) - Blue, Coconut Crab (Birgus latro) - Brown, Japanese Spider Crab (Macrocheira kaempferi) - Red, Kuruma Prawn (Marsupenaeus japonicus) - Brown, and Fiddler Crab (Uca arcuata) - Muted Pale Green.

Original Inks Released Annually Since 2013

Mr. Yoshifumi Nagatomi, who has been involved with KINGDOM NOTE since its inception and oversees the planning and production of original inks, states, "While many inks are sold worldwide, we wanted to create original inks with themes that other companies likely wouldn't pursue. To commemorate KINGDOM NOTE's 5th anniversary, we launched the first installment of the Japanese Creatures series, 'Insects,' in 2013, and have released original inks every year since."

Regarding the Japanese Creatures series, Mr. Nagatomi explains, "Including the meticulous color adjustments and label layouts, only about four people are involved. The labels, featuring illustrations I drew with a fountain pen, are each carefully applied by our staff with great care."

He further elaborates on the color creation process: "We create the colors based on photographs of the creatures we have on hand and the color impressions from our mental images of the actual creatures. We discuss details like the famous blue variant of the Japanese Crayfish, or the brown stripes on the Kuruma Prawn, in a friendly atmosphere with the staff."


When asked for advice on choosing an ink, Mr. Nagatomi says, "It simply comes down to whether you like the color. The Japanese Creatures series is produced with the image of 'Wa'—Japanese aesthetics and sensibility—in mind."

Perhaps by imagining the Fiddler Crab walking on a white sandy beach in summer, the time spent writing with a fountain pen can become even more enriching.

Sailor Pen Bottle Ink
KINGDOM NOTE Exclusive "Japanese Creatures Series: Crustaceans"
Price | ¥2,160 each
Colors | 5 colors in total