Ink Flight #25 Reveal + Giveaway
For this month's Ink Flight (February 2019), we stayed in Japan for a pleasant set of inks developed by the TAG stationery stores in Kyoto. Using traditional dyeing techniques and colors that date back to the Heian period, these inks pay homage to Japanese cultural heritage. These colors are more nuanced and softer than the bold, "in-your-face" sheen inks that we often encounter on our travels.
The names might be difficult for the tongue to pronounce, but the colors are easy on the eyes. Come along as we explore the Kyo-no-oto and Kyo-iro ink colors selected for this month's Ink Flight samples.
Here is a rundown of the inks in this month's Flight of samples.
Kyo-no-oto Kokeiro
This green ink borrows its color from the moss found on rocks in Kyoto's gardens. When I look at the name, I think to myself, "Kokeiro Taco Bell." That's just me. I love light greens for their light saturation and tendency to shade. This color is right up there with one of my faves - Rohrer & Klingner Alt-Goldgrun.
Kyo-no-oto Aonibi
This pale indigo ink is inspired by the dusky night sky as the moon floats over Kyoto. A business-appropriate blue ink that could be considered a blue-black or a navy color.
Kyo-no-oto Hisoku
This light, greyish blue ink represents a color that is found in classical Japanese celadon pottery. This lightly saturated blue looks gorgeous when using wetter nibs.
Kyo-no-oto Adzukiiro
This plum red ink is inspired by the color of adzuki beans, which have been used since ancient times for both culinary and ceremonial purposes. It has a noticable greenish-gold sheen. I think of it as a less saturated Colorverse Andromeda.
Kyo-no-oto Urahairo
This limited edition ink takes its color from the underside of a leaf. It has a delicate, tender green hue. When looking at the inks side-by-side, this color almost looks like an in-between blue-green with elements of Hisoku and Kokeiro blended together.
Kyo-iro Stone Road of Gion
This neutral, gray-brown ink is named after the stone-paved streets that run through Kyoto's Gion district. True to the name, it felt a bit dry writing with it.
Kyo-iro Moonlight of Higashiyama
"Kill winter with orange" with this warm ink that represents the wooden buildings of Kyoto's Higashiyama district. Lovely depth and warmth.
Overall, these colors aren't going to "wow" you with intense sheen, shading or shimmer. They are subdued, pleasant, and have a natural calming effect in using them to write. Being that they are less vibrant, the Kyoto TAG inks are also easier to read if you use them in your letters and notes for others to read, which brings us to the next section in the reveal...
Box Extras: G. Lalo Verge de France Writing Tablet with 5 Envelopes
Everyone who follows InkJournal and the Flex Nib Friday newsletter knows we've been talking InCoWriMo since the middle of January. The point of InCoWriMo is to write 28 letters during the month of February, 1 for each day of the month. Besides coordinating a pen pal list of those who are participating in the challenge, we provided the tools to inspire you to get your pen and inks out to write letters.
As you've come to expect in the Ink Flight Box, our concern for quality takes us around the world to search for the finest stationery and products for the writing enthusiast. So, when we include writing paper and envelopes, you don't get run-of-the-mill recycled paper and thin envelopes, you get paper that's been handmade in France according to traditional manufacturing methods.
G. Lalo's "Verge" refers to the grid of parallel, translucent lines (vergeures) that formed in the handmade paper as sheets were laid to dry (the origin of the term "laid finish"). The heavyweight 100g paper stock holds up to fountain pen inks well. The self-sealing, lined envelopes are also crafted from G. Lalo's specialty paper.
Due to inventory insufficiency at the US distributor, we weren't able to get all pads and envelopes in the same color, so we decided to randomly include either white or ivory paper tablets with a random assortment of envelope paper colors. Since the number of Ink Flight subscribers continues to go up month-to-month, we may start to see more issues with attempting to purchase in volume on short notice. We will be adjusting accordingly by placing orders months in advance to set up future Flight inventory.
A commemorative Inktopus InCoWriMo 2019 "stamp" sticker was also included to help decorate one of your envelopes or decorate your journal.
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GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY (Worldwide)
Leave a comment below to let us know what you think about February 2019's Ink Flight, the Kyoto TAG inks, or the box extras. We will pick one random commenter to win an upcoming March 2019's Flight Box on Tuesday, February 26th at 9:00 pm. International entries are welcome!
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Previous Ink Flights (Ink Flight #1 - Noodler's, Ink Flight #2 - Robert Oster Signature, Ink Flight #3 - KWZ, Ink Flight #4 - J. Herbin, Ink Flight #5 - P.W. Akkerman, Ink Flight #6 - Papier Plume, Ink Flight #7 - Platinum Mix-Free, Ink Flight #8 - Franklin-Christoph, Ink Flight #9 - Organics Studio, Ink Flight #10 - Monteverde, Ink Flight #11 - Krishna, Ink Flight #12 - Caran d'Ache, Ink Flight #13 - Rohrer & Klingner, Ink Flight #14 - Blackstone, Ink Flight #15 - Colorverse, Ink Flight #16 - De Atramentis, Ink Flight #17 - Aurora & Montegrappa, Ink Flight #18 - Krishna, KWZ, Papier Plume, Ink Flight #19 - Diamine, Ink Flight #20 - J. Herbin, Ink Flight #21 - Robert Oster Signature 80's Collection, Ink Flight #22 - 3 Oysters, Ink Flight #23 - InkJournal Holiday Blend, Ink Flight #24 - Taccia)