Sailor Manyo Sumire 50 ml Fountain Pen Ink

Sailor Manyo Sumire 50 ml Fountain Pen Ink

The Sailor Manyo Sumire 50 ml Fountain Pen Ink belongs to the first edition of the Sailor Manyo collection launched internationally in November 2019. Inspired by the Japanese sumire flower, the violet, this ink presents a brilliant blue tone enriched with subtle violet undertones and remarkable visual brightness reminiscent of vivid Japanese wildflowers. A particularly attractive colour for fountain pen users looking for expressive, vibrant inks full of personality.

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.

Sumire and the symbolism of the Japanese violet

Sumire (すみれ / 菫) means violet in Japanese, although depending on the kanji used it may also evoke meanings such as purple flower, clarity or even “the sound of jewels”. According to Japanese tradition, the delicate shape of this flower resembled the small ink containers used by traditional Japanese carpenters, which is why the flower received the name sumire, derived from “sumi” (ink) and “ire” (container).

Besides its connection to writing and traditional craftsmanship, Sumire is also one of the most popular feminine names given to younger daughters in Japan. Sailor transforms all this cultural delicacy into a vivid and luminous blue ink capable of revealing variations between electric blue, floral blue and subtle violet undertones depending on the paper and nib used.

At Inktraveler, we find it especially interesting how Sumire maintains remarkable chromatic vibrancy even in fine Japanese nibs while still displaying clean and elegant shading, particularly on high-quality Japanese papers.

Compatibility and writing experience

This ink has been formulated exclusively for fountain pens, providing a smooth and balanced flow suitable for daily writing and regular fountain pen maintenance. Its water-based formulation allows easy cleaning and stable performance even in finer Japanese nibs. The 50 ml glass bottle also offers comfortable and reliable filling.

Paper recommendation to appreciate the colour

To fully enjoy Sumire’s blue and violet nuances, we recommend high-quality Japanese papers such as the Midori Cotton Pad A5 or the Life Ginkouka Japanese Paper Pad, where its luminosity and shading appear with exceptional intensity.

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 shading?
Medium and broad nibs reveal Sumire’s tonal variation and brightness particularly well.

What kind of colour is Sumire?
Sumire presents a bright luminous blue with subtle violet undertones inspired by the delicacy of Japanese violets.

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 colours seem to preserve the bright and fleeting light of Japanese wildflowers."