Sailor Manyo Haha 50 ml Fountain Pen Ink
The Sailor Manyo Haha 50 ml Fountain Pen Ink belongs to the first edition of the Sailor Manyo collection launched internationally in November 2019. Inspired by the Japanese haha flower, this ink is known for its delicate blue-grey tones combined with lavender and soft green undertones that shift depending on the paper and nib used. A particularly sought-after ink among fountain pen enthusiasts who appreciate Japanese multishading inks, contemplative writing and subtle colours with remarkable visual complexity.
Manyo and the spirit of Japanese poetry
The Manyo collection takes its name from Manyoshu, “The Collection of Ten Thousand Leaves”, regarded as the oldest and most celebrated anthology of Japanese poetry. Over approximately four centuries, 4,516 poems were compiled exploring themes such as love, nature, the seasons and human emotions, reflecting a deeply sensitive vision of Japanese culture.
Flowers and plants played a central role within this poetic tradition, with more than 1,500 poems referring to around 160 plant species and nearly 50 different flowers. For the first Manyo ink series, Sailor selected eight plants to transform into colour: Haha, Yomogi, Sumire, Kikyou, Nekoyanagi, Akebi, Kuzu and Yamabuki.
Haha and its famous multishading effect
Haha is one of the most recognisable inks in the entire Manyo collection thanks to its dramatic tonal variation and extraordinary multishading effect. Depending on the paper used, the ink may reveal blue-grey, lavender, pale green and even faint pink undertones. The result resembles delicately layered Japanese watercolours and turns every page into a slightly different visual experience.
At Inktraveler, we find it particularly fascinating how Haha changes dramatically depending on the paper texture and fountain pen flow. Broad, music, zoom and stub nibs allow the complex transitions and strong shading characteristics of this ink to appear much more clearly.
Compatibility and writing experience
This ink has been formulated exclusively for fountain pens, providing smooth and reliable performance despite its complex colour behaviour. Its water-based formulation makes regular cleaning easy while allowing highly expressive writing without compromising fountain pen maintenance. The 50 ml glass bottle also offers comfortable and stable filling.
Paper recommendation to appreciate the colour
To fully enjoy Haha’s multishading effect and subtle tonal transitions, we recommend low-absorbency Japanese papers such as the Midori Cotton Pad A5 or the Life Ginkouka Japanese Paper Pad, where the transitions between blue, green and lavender become especially visible and refined.
Frequently asked questions
Is this ink suitable for fountain pens?
Yes. It is specifically formulated for fountain pens and should not be used in other writing systems.
Is this a waterproof ink?
No. This is a non-pigmented water-based ink and is not intended to be permanent.
Which nib sizes show the best multishading?
Broad, stub, zoom and music nibs reveal Haha’s tonal variation and multishading particularly well.
Does Haha belong to the original Manyo collection?
Yes. Haha is part of the first international Sailor Manyo ink collection launched in 2019.
Package contents
50 ml Sailor Manyo glass ink bottle. Official Sailor paperboard box included. (Product photos are illustrative and slight variations may exist compared to the actual product).
Technical specifications
• Volume: 50 ml
• Ink type: water-based fountain pen ink
• Bottle dimensions: 53 × 44 × 70 mm
• Approximate weight: 203 g
• Packaging: official Sailor paperboard box
• Box dimensions: 55 × 47 × 76 mm
Further reading and guide
If you would like to discover more about the origin of this collection and explore additional colours from the series, you can read our dedicated guide to Sailor Manyo inks.
History and philosophy of Sailor
Founded in Hiroshima in 1911, Sailor is one of Japan’s most respected writing instrument companies. For more than a century, the brand has combined craftsmanship, technical research and Japanese aesthetic sensitivity to create fountain pens and inks admired around the world. With the Manyo collection, Sailor transforms classical poetry, nature and emotion into colour, creating a series that reflects the subtle relationship between writing and seasonal beauty in Japanese culture.
"Some inks seem to change like water and sky depending on the light and the moment."
