Nagasawa Kobe 01 Rokko Green 50 ml Fountain Pen Ink
Nagasawa Kobe 01 Rokko Green 50 ml Fountain Pen Ink is part of the prestigious Kobe INK Monogatari collection, a series of Japanese fountain pen inks created by Nagasawa Bungu Center to capture the colours, landscapes and stories that define the city of Kobe. The Japanese word Monogatari means “story” or “tale”, and each ink in the collection transforms a specific place in Kobe into a unique writing experience.
The Kobe INK Monogatari collection was born in the years following the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake of 1995. Nagasawa Bungu Center, a historic stationery company deeply connected to Kobe since the nineteenth century, sought to demonstrate that every corner of the city possessed its own distinctive colour. The result was a collection that has become one of the most respected and beloved Japanese fountain pen ink series among writing enthusiasts around the world.
Nagasawa Kobe 01 Rokko Green 50 ml Fountain Pen Ink
Nagasawa Kobe 01 Rokko Green 50 ml Fountain Pen Ink is part of the prestigious Kobe INK Monogatari collection, a series of Japanese fountain pen inks created by Nagasawa Bungu Center to capture the colours, landscapes and stories that define the city of Kobe. The Japanese word Monogatari means “story” or “tale”, and each ink in the collection transforms a specific place in Kobe into a unique writing experience.
The Kobe INK Monogatari collection was born in the years following the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake of 1995. Nagasawa Bungu Center, a historic stationery company deeply connected to Kobe since the nineteenth century, sought to demonstrate that every corner of the city possessed its own distinctive colour. The result was a collection that has become one of the most respected and beloved Japanese fountain pen ink series among writing enthusiasts around the world.
When people think of Kobe, they often imagine a city blessed with a remarkable geography where mountains and sea coexist side by side. This relationship between nature and urban life lies at the heart of Kobe INK Monogatari. Each colour reflects a landscape, atmosphere or memory associated with Kobe, allowing writers to place a small piece of the city onto paper.
Kobe INK Monogatari: A City Told Through Colour
The Kobe INK Monogatari collection is inspired by Kobe’s neighbourhoods, landmarks, natural scenery, historical events and cultural identity. Each colour represents a specific location and seeks to convey the emotions associated with that place. From the deep blues of Kobe Harbour to the greens of the Rokko Mountains, every bottle of Kobe INK Monogatari serves as a small window into the city.
Over the years, Nagasawa Bungu Center has expanded the Kobe INK Monogatari range with standard colours, limited editions and special collaborations, transforming it into one of Japan’s most extensive and respected regional ink collections. More than a simple palette of colours, it has become a chromatic map of Kobe itself.
Rokko Green: The Deep Green of the Rokko Mountains
Rokko Green, number 01 in the Kobe INK Monogatari collection, is inspired by the Rokko mountain range that rises above the city and forms an essential part of Kobe’s identity. For generations, the green slopes of the Rokko Mountains have provided a sense of tranquillity, balance and connection with nature for the people of Kobe.
Nagasawa Bungu Center officially describes Rokko Green as an expression of the calm and deep green found throughout the mountains overlooking the port city. The colour seeks to evoke the experience of gazing towards the forest-covered slopes from Kobe or walking beneath the trees along mountain paths. It captures the atmosphere associated with the Japanese concept of shinrin-yoku, often translated as “forest bathing”.
It is no coincidence that Rokko Green was chosen as number 01 within the Kobe INK Monogatari series. The Rokko Mountains are among the most recognisable natural symbols of Kobe and form the ever-present backdrop to the city. Their deep green colour has become part of Kobe’s visual identity and everyday life.
The Rokko mountain range forms a natural barrier between the coastal plain of Kobe and the interior of Hyōgo Prefecture. Thanks to this unique geography, Kobe enjoys one of Japan’s most distinctive urban landscapes, where mountains and sea exist side by side. Rokko Green reflects this special relationship and translates it into ink.
A Deep Green for Calm and Elegant Writing
Nagasawa Bungu Center describes Rokko Green as a calm and profound green inspired by the forests of the Rokko Mountains. It is an excellent choice for writers seeking a refined and natural green ink that remains highly legible while offering more personality than conventional greens.
Its character recalls the sensation of writing while surrounded by nature, making it particularly suitable for journals, correspondence, travel notebooks and everyday writing. Within the Kobe INK Monogatari collection, Rokko Green remains one of the most iconic colours thanks to its direct connection with Kobe’s landscape.
Writing Performance
Formulated specifically for fountain pens, Nagasawa Kobe 01 Rokko Green offers a smooth and consistent flow that allows its rich green tone to be fully appreciated. The ink performs well across a wide variety of papers and writing instruments, providing an enjoyable and reliable writing experience.
Its balanced colour combines elegance with individuality, making it suitable for both professional and personal use. Whether used for daily notes or creative projects, Rokko Green delivers a distinctive writing experience inspired by one of Kobe’s most beloved natural landmarks.
Advice for Appreciating the True Colour
As with many Japanese fountain pen inks, the paper used can significantly influence the final appearance of the colour. To fully enjoy the nuances of Rokko Green, we recommend using high-quality fountain pen friendly paper. A particularly interesting option is the Graphilo × Nagasawa A5 Kobe Ink Notebook, made with Graphilo paper, regarded by many enthusiasts as one of the finest Japanese fountain pen papers available. Its cover reproduces the Kobe INK Monogatari collection and allows the colour, shading and character of Kobe inks to be appreciated with exceptional clarity.
Accessories and Kobe INK Monogatari Collectibles
The Kobe INK Monogatari collection has inspired a variety of products for enthusiasts of Japanese stationery and collecting. In addition to the celebrated ink bottles developed by Nagasawa Bungu Center, the collection has given rise to special notebooks and enamel pins inspired by some of Kobe’s most representative colours.
Among the most notable related products are the Graphilo × Nagasawa A5 Kobe Ink Notebook, whose cover reproduces the Kobe INK Monogatari collection, and the Graphilo for Fountain Pen Kobe Edition, whose cover features an alphabet and numerals created using colours from the collection. Both are especially appreciated by fountain pen users thanks to the exceptional quality of Graphilo paper for displaying shading, saturation and subtle colour variations.
Collectible enamel pins inspired by the Kobe ink bottles are another example of the affection the collection has earned among enthusiasts of Japanese writing culture. These small objects bring the visual identity of Kobe INK Monogatari beyond the writing desk and have become highly appreciated pieces among collectors and followers of the brand.
Over the years, Kobe INK Monogatari has become much more than a collection of fountain pen inks. For many enthusiasts, it represents a way of discovering Kobe through writing, bringing together colour, history, landscape, Japanese stationery and collecting within a single collection.
Package Contents
50 ml glass bottle presented in the official Kobe INK Monogatari packaging. Images are for reference only and colours may vary slightly depending on monitor settings, lighting conditions and paper choice.
If you are looking for another colour from the Kobe INK Monogatari collection and cannot find it on our website, feel free to contact us at inktraveler@inktraveler.com. We will be happy to assist you.
Technical Specifications
- Collection: Kobe INK Monogatari
- Number: 01
- Name: Rokko Green
- Type: Fountain Pen Ink
- Capacity: 50 ml
- Package Size: approximately 65 × 65 × 52 mm
- Made in Japan
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Kobe INK Monogatari mean?
The Japanese word Monogatari means “story” or “tale”. The Kobe INK Monogatari collection tells the story of Kobe through colours inspired by its landscapes, districts and cultural landmarks.
What does Rokko Green represent?
It represents the calm and deep green of the Rokko mountain range, one of Kobe’s most recognisable natural landmarks and a defining element of the city’s landscape.
Who makes Kobe INK Monogatari inks?
Kobe INK Monogatari inks are produced by Sailor for Nagasawa Bungu Center, a historic stationery company founded in Kobe in 1882. Among Japanese fountain pen enthusiasts, Sailor enjoys an outstanding reputation for the quality, stability and chromatic richness of its inks.
What care does this ink require?
As with any fountain pen ink, it is advisable to close the bottle properly after each use to minimise evaporation. If changing colours, it is recommended to flush the fountain pen with clean water beforehand. Ink stains may be difficult to remove from fabrics and the ink should be kept out of the reach of children.
Is it suitable for all fountain pens?
Yes. It is specifically formulated for fountain pens and can be used in most fountain pens compatible with bottled ink.
Your Opinion Matters
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History and Philosophy of the Brand
Founded in 1882, Nagasawa Bungu Center is a historic Kobe stationery company specialising in writing instruments, fountain pens and exclusive products inspired by the cultural identity of the city. Its Kobe INK Monogatari collection represents one of the most distinctive projects in Japanese stationery, transforming Kobe’s visual identity into a palette of fountain pen inks.
Each bottle of Kobe INK Monogatari preserves a small fragment of Kobe’s memory. Rokko Green invites us to contemplate the mountains overlooking the city and bring their sense of calm and balance into the act of writing.
"The deep green of the Rokko Mountains transformed into ink to tell the story of Kobe."
