Nagasawa Kobe 32 Tamon Purple Gray 50 ml Fountain Pen Ink
Tamon Street in Kobe preserves the memory of one of Japan's most admired historical figures: Kusunoki Masashige, the legendary fourteenth-century samurai celebrated for his loyalty and military strategy. During his childhood he was known by the nickname Tamonza, a name that remains associated with this area of the city. Nagasawa Kobe 32 Tamon Purple Gray draws its inspiration from this historical legacy and from a small detail connected to the young Tamonza's daily life.
According to the official description of the collection, the colour recreates the shade of the traditional Japanese cushion used by Tamonza, a seat known for its elegant and soft purple tone. From this historical reference, Nagasawa developed a distinctive colour that combines violet and grey nuances in a refined, understated and deeply Japanese ink.
Manufactured by Sailor for Nagasawa, Tamon Purple Gray provides a smooth and pleasant writing experience. Its balance of purple and grey offers excellent readability and a discreet personality, making it particularly appealing for journals, correspondence, reflective writing and everyday use.
The Story of Tamonza
Kusunoki Masashige occupies a prominent place in Japanese history thanks to his loyalty to Emperor Go-Daigo and his role during the turbulent Nanbokuchō period. Considered a symbol of devotion and self-sacrifice, his legacy has been admired for centuries and remains an important part of Kobe's historical memory.
Tamon Street commemorates the childhood nickname of this legendary samurai. Unlike many inks inspired by landscapes or landmarks, Tamon Purple Gray stands out within the Kobe INK Monogatari collection because it takes inspiration from a personal and everyday object associated with a historical figure, transforming a small memory into a colour for writing.
Kobe INK Monogatari Accessories and Collectibles
The Kobe INK Monogatari collection has inspired a variety of products for enthusiasts of Japanese stationery and collecting. In addition to the famous inks developed by Nagasawa Bungu Center, the collection has also 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 notebook Graphilo Kobe Ink, whose cover reproduces the Kobe INK Monogatari collection, and the notebook Graphilo Kobe Font, featuring letters and numbers created using colours from the collection. Both are highly appreciated by fountain pen users thanks to the exceptional quality of Graphilo paper, renowned for displaying shading, saturation and colour nuances.
Collectible pins inspired by Kobe ink bottles are another example of the popularity the collection has achieved among Japanese stationery enthusiasts. These small accessories extend the visual identity of Kobe INK Monogatari beyond the writing desk and have become highly sought-after items among collectors and followers of the brand.
Over the years, Kobe INK Monogatari has become much more than a collection of inks. For many enthusiasts it represents a way to discover Kobe through writing, bringing together colour, history, landscape, Japanese stationery and collecting within a single collection.
Package Contents
50 ml glass bottle of Nagasawa Kobe 32 Tamon Purple Gray fountain pen ink. Presented in the official Kobe INK Monogatari packaging.
Photographs are provided for reference only. The appearance of the colour may vary slightly depending on monitor settings, paper choice and writing conditions.
If you are looking for other colours from the Kobe INK Monogatari collection, please contact us. We will be happy to help you discover the colour that best suits your writing style and preferences.
Technical Specifications
• Colour: Tamon Purple Gray
• Collection: Kobe INK Monogatari
• Number: 32
• Capacity: 50 ml
• Type: Fountain pen ink
• Glass bottle
• Box dimensions: 65 × 65 × 52 mm
• Manufactured by Sailor for Nagasawa Bungu Center
• Made in Japan
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Tamon Purple Gray represent?
It represents the elegant purple colour of the traditional cushion used by Tamonza, the childhood nickname of the legendary samurai Kusunoki Masashige.
Who was Tamonza?
Tamonza was the childhood nickname of Kusunoki Masashige, one of the most respected figures in Japanese history, admired for his loyalty and sense of duty.
Is it suitable for everyday writing?
Yes. Its balanced combination of purple and grey tones offers excellent readability and an elegant appearance for daily writing.
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History and Philosophy of the Brand
Founded in 1882, Nagasawa Bungu Center is one of Kobe's historic stationery companies, specialising in writing instruments, fountain pens and exclusive products inspired by the city's cultural identity. Its Kobe INK Monogatari collection represents one of the most distinctive projects in the world of Japanese writing, transforming the visual identity of Kobe into an extraordinary palette of fountain pen ink colours.
The Japanese word Monogatari means “story” or “tale”, a definition that perfectly summarises the spirit of this collection. Each ink takes inspiration from a specific location in Kobe and transforms it into a writing experience capable of conveying its landscapes, memories and emotions.
The Kobe INK Monogatari collection was born after the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake of 1995. Deeply connected to the city since the late nineteenth century, Nagasawa sought to demonstrate that every corner of Kobe possessed its own unique colour. The result was a series of inks that today stands as one of the most emblematic projects in contemporary Japanese writing culture.
Each bottle of Kobe INK Monogatari preserves a small part of Kobe's memory. In the case of Tamon Purple Gray, the colour connects us with the historical figure of Kusunoki Masashige and transforms a small detail from his childhood into an elegant shade for writing.
"Some memories survive the passage of centuries and continue to tell their story through colour."
