Sailor Manyo Ukikusa 50 ml Fountain Pen Ink
The Sailor Manyo Ukikusa 50 ml Fountain Pen Ink belongs to the second Manyo ink series released by Sailor in 2020 for the international market. Inspired by the Japanese aquatic plant Ukikusa (浮草), commonly known as duckweed, this ink features a delicate aquatic green tone with soft greyish undertones reminiscent of peaceful rice fields and quiet Japanese ponds. A particularly attractive colour for fountain pen users who appreciate natural, calming inks deeply connected to traditional Japanese aesthetics.
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, trees and plants held strong symbolic meaning within this literary tradition, and Sailor transforms those natural elements into ink colours intended to convey sensations beyond simple writing. In the Manyo series, each colour attempts to capture part of the poetic and seasonal atmosphere found in classical Japanese poetry.
Ukikusa and the symbolism of duckweed
Ukikusa (浮草), referred to in the ancient Man’yō texts as Ukimanako, corresponds to the aquatic plant Spirodela polyrhiza, commonly known as duckweed. It is a floating plant frequently found in Japanese rice fields, ponds and calm waters. What appears to be a leaf is actually a modified stem known as a frond body, usually rounded and soft green in colour. Its white roots may vary from three to twenty-one delicate floating roots.
Duckweed flowers only rarely, producing extremely small blossoms that generally appear during summer. Sailor transforms this quiet aquatic atmosphere into a soft grey-green ink capable of conveying calmness, freshness and natural subtlety on paper.
Depending on the paper and nib used, Ukikusa may reveal gentle tonal variation and soft shading, shifting between water green, grey-green and subtle cool undertones. At Inktraveler, we find it especially interesting how this colour evokes humid Japanese landscapes and changes delicately depending on paper absorbency and texture.
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 Ukikusa’s aquatic green nuances and subtle shading, we recommend high-quality Japanese papers such as the Midori Cotton Pad A5 or the Life Ginkouka Japanese Paper Pad, where its tonal variations appear with greater depth and delicacy.
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 Ukikusa’s tonal variation and soft shading particularly well.
What kind of colour is Ukikusa?
Ukikusa is a soft aquatic green with subtle grey undertones inspired by floating vegetation found in Japanese rice fields and ponds.
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 second Manyo collection released in 2020, you can read our guide dedicated to the Sailor Manyo II 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 float silently across the page like plants resting on still water."
