Made in the Japanese city of Kyoto, Kyo No Oto inks feature traditional Japanese colors inspired by the city’s beautiful scenery and culture.
Nurebairo (01) – A heavy black ink named after the black of a woman’s hair or the feather of a crow. A very heavy spread when dropped onto wetted paper with a hints of grey blue at the edges. A limited reaction with bleach.
Imayouiro (02) – A rich fuchsia red named a safflower red ink from the Heian era. An uneven spread when dropped onto wetted paper with a strong sheen in evidence. A feint reaction with bleach.
Kokeiro (03) – An olive green named after the wabi-sabi gardens in Kyoto. An uneven spread when dropped onto wetted paper with a hint of sheen in evidence and yellow feathering at the edges. A gold reaction with bleach.
Yamabukiiro (04) – A deep yellow ochre inspired by the yamabuki, or Japanese Kerria, plant. An uneven spread when dropped onto wetted paper with a strong sheen in evidence and yellow feathering at the edges. A gold reaction with bleach.
Aonibi (05) – A deep airforce blue inspired by the night sky lit by the moon above Kyoto. A very even spread when dropped onto wetted paper with a strong sheen in evidence. A white gold reaction with bleach.
Adzukiiro (06) – A deep maroon ink is inspired by the color of the adzuki bean. An even spread when dropped onto wetted paper with a sheen in evidence. A feint white reaction with bleach.
Hisoku (07) – A dusty teal ink inspired by a special type of celadon pottery that had an emerald blue colour. Hints of chromatic behaviour. A very even spread when dropped onto wetted paper with a sheen in evidence. A white gold reaction with bleach.
Urahairo (08) – A dusty leaf green. Subtle chromatic behaviours. A very even spread when dropped onto wetted paper with a strong sheen in evidence. Lovely reaction with bleach.
Keshimurasaki (09) – A deep cool grey limited edition. Subtle chromatic behaviour. A very even spread when dropped onto wetted paper with a strong sheen in evidence. Lovely reaction with bleach.
A mixture of vivid and dusty colours with a variety of reactions to bleach and limited chromatic behaviours. The colours unite tradition and modernity.
All tests on Bockingford Rough 200lb watercolour paper with handwriting using a Noodler’s Creeper pen.
Many thanks to Anja at Papier & Stift who very kindly sent me the samples to test.
Swatch cards are now available to buy. Click for details. If you’d like to know how to create these yourself, why not check out my tutorials course? Click for details.
FOUNTAIN PEN INK ART 