Sailor Manyo Shirakashi 50 ml Fountain Pen Ink
The Sailor Manyo Shirakashi 50 ml Fountain Pen Ink belongs to Sailor’s Manyo collection, a series inspired by plants, flowers and trees mentioned in classical Japanese poetry. This ink takes its name from Shirakashi (白橿), known in Japan as the “white oak”, an evergreen Asian tree belonging to the species Quercus myrsinifolia. Its elegant grey-green tone with earthy undertones and soft natural depth creates a calm and organic writing experience especially appreciated by fountain pen users who enjoy understated and sophisticated colours.
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.
Shirakashi and the symbolism of the Japanese white oak
Shirakashi (白橿 / しらかし), botanically known as Quercus myrsinifolia, is an evergreen Asian tree commonly called the Japanese white oak. Its elongated leaves resemble bamboo leaves slightly, and the tree appears in several poems from the Manyoshu, often associated with mountain landscapes, snow and quiet natural scenery.
One of the poems where it appears reads:
あしひきの山道も知らず白橿の枝もとををに雪の降れれば
Shirakashi transforms that quiet winter atmosphere into a complex and elegant grey-green ink capable of revealing olive, earthy and slightly smoky undertones depending on the paper and nib used. At Inktraveler, we find it especially interesting how this colour shifts between warmer and more mineral tones depending on the absorbency and texture of Japanese paper.
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 Shirakashi’s grey-green nuances and natural 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 become especially deep 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 shading?
Medium and broad nibs reveal Shirakashi’s tonal variation and natural shading particularly well.
What type of colour is Shirakashi?
It is a sophisticated grey-green tone with olive and earthy undertones inspired by Japanese nature and mountain landscapes described in the Manyoshu.
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 silence of trees and snow in the Japanese mountains."
