Nagasawa Kobe 04 Kitano Ijinkan Red is a warm brick-red fountain pen ink inspired by the famous Weathercock House in Kobe’s historic Kitano district. Manufactured by Sailor for Nagasawa Bungu Center, it combines elegance, character and the unique spirit of the Kobe INK Monogatari collection.
The Nagasawa Kobe 04 Kitano Ijinkan Red 50 ml Fountain Pen Ink is part of the celebrated Kobe INK Monogatari collection, created by Nagasawa Bungu Center to represent the colours, landscapes and stories of Kobe through ink. This particular colour is inspired by the historic Kitano district and, more specifically, by the vivid red bricks of the famous Weathercock House, one of Kobe’s most recognisable landmarks.
Its warm brick-red tone combines depth, character and elegance, recalling the historic architecture that has shaped the identity of Kitano for generations. It is one of the classic colours of the collection and a particularly attractive choice for those who appreciate the connection between writing and place.
Kobe INK Monogatari was created to transform the landscapes, districts and cultural heritage of Kobe into fountain pen inks. Each colour in the collection is linked to a specific location within the city, allowing writers to discover Kobe through colour.
Manufactured by Sailor for Nagasawa Bungu Center, these inks are admired for their rich colours, excellent writing performance and strong connection to the places that inspired them. More than a collection of inks, Kobe INK Monogatari is a chromatic journey through Kobe itself.
Kitano is one of Kobe’s most famous historic districts. Following the opening of Kobe Port to international trade during the nineteenth century, foreign merchants, diplomats and entrepreneurs established their residences in the area, creating a unique architectural landscape rarely found elsewhere in Japan.
These Western-style residences are known as Ijinkan (異人館), literally "foreigners’ houses". Located on the hills overlooking the city, they remain one of Kobe’s most distinctive urban landscapes and a remarkable reminder of the cultural exchange between Japan and the West during the Meiji period.
Among them, the most famous is the Weathercock House (Kazamidori no Yakata), an elegant red-brick residence crowned by a weather vane. It has become one of the most recognisable symbols of Kitano and of Kobe itself. According to Nagasawa's own description, this ink was inspired by the striking red colour of its brick façade.
Kitano Ijinkan Red captures that warm, slightly earthy red tone, evoking historic architecture, sloping streets and the cosmopolitan atmosphere that continues to define this unique area of Kobe.
Kitano Ijinkan Red offers a smooth and balanced writing experience with excellent legibility. Depending on the nib and paper used, subtle tonal variations and shading can be observed, adding depth and visual interest to the writing.
It is particularly well suited to correspondence, journals, personal notes, urban sketching and creative projects. Medium, broad and stub nibs reveal its shading characteristics especially well.
To fully appreciate the nuances of Kitano Ijinkan Red, we recommend using high-quality Japanese papers such as the Kobe Ink Notebook or the Kobe Font Notebook, where its shading and colour depth can be appreciated particularly well.
Nagasawa also shows the actual ink colour on the cap of the bottle in this official YouTube video.
50 ml glass bottle of Nagasawa Kobe 04 Kitano Ijinkan Red fountain pen ink. Supplied in the official Kobe INK Monogatari presentation box.
If you are looking for other colours from the Kobe INK Monogatari collection, please contact us at inktraveler@inktraveler.com. We will be pleased to assist you.
What does Ijinkan mean?
Ijinkan literally means "foreigner's house" and refers to the residences built by Western merchants and diplomats in Kobe during the nineteenth century.
Which building inspired this ink?
Kitano Ijinkan Red is inspired by the Weathercock House, a red-brick building considered one of the most iconic landmarks of the Kitano district and Kobe itself.
Is this a fountain pen ink?
Yes. It is specifically formulated for fountain pens and offers the writing characteristics associated with Sailor-made inks.
How should this ink be cared for?
As with any fountain pen ink, the bottle should be properly closed after use to minimise evaporation. When changing colours, it is recommended to clean the pen with water beforehand. Ink stains on fabrics may be difficult to remove and the product should be kept out of the reach of children.
What makes this colour special?
Its distinctive tone is directly inspired by the red bricks of the historic Weathercock House, one of Kobe’s most recognisable architectural landmarks.
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Nagasawa Bungu Center, founded in Kobe in 1882, is one of Japan’s most historic stationery companies. Its Kobe INK Monogatari collection combines writing, local culture and urban identity through colours inspired by specific locations throughout Kobe.
Manufactured by Sailor for Nagasawa, these inks allow users to discover Kobe through writing, transforming places, stories and landscapes into unique colour experiences.
"Some colours preserve the memory of the places that inspired them."
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Nagasawa Kobe 04 Kitano Ijinkan Red is a warm brick-red fountain pen ink inspired by the famous Weathercock House in Kobe’s historic Kitano district. Manufactured by Sailor for Nagasawa Bungu Center, it combines elegance, character and the unique spirit of the Kobe INK Monogatari collection.
