Sailor Manyo Ayame Dual Shade 50 ml Fountain Pen Ink
The Sailor Manyo Ayame Dual Shade 50 ml Fountain Pen Ink belongs to the third generation of Manyo inks released by Sailor in 2022 exclusively for international markets. This collection introduced a new chromatic concept based on dual shading, an effect that allows different colours to appear within a single line depending on the nib, paper, and ink concentration. Ayame is particularly appreciated for its subtle transitions between green-grey, warm grey, and delicate purple tones.
Manyo and the Spirit of the Man'yōshū
The Manyo collection takes its name from the Man'yōshū, the oldest surviving anthology of Japanese poetry. Compiled over several centuries, it contains 4,516 poems dedicated to nature, the seasons, love, and human emotions. Flowers and plants play a central role throughout the anthology and have served as inspiration for many of Sailor's ink colours.
In 2022, Sailor introduced the third international Manyo series, consisting of only four dual-shading colours: Fuji, Ayame, Hinoki, and Koke.
Ayame and the Japanese Iris
Ayame (アヤメ, 菖蒲) refers to the wild iris that grows in the drier regions of Japan. This flower occupies an important place in Japanese culture and is associated with several iris species mentioned throughout the Man'yōshū. Sailor has translated this botanical inspiration into a remarkably complex ink colour combining green-grey tones with purple shading and soft grey undertones that appear and disappear depending on writing conditions.
Within the anthology, irises appear under various traditional botanical names, reflecting the long-standing cultural and literary significance of this elegant flower in Japanese aesthetics.
The Dual Shade Effect
The Dual Shade series represents a new direction within the Sailor Manyo range. Rather than displaying only conventional shading, these formulations reveal several colours simultaneously within a single word or stroke. At Inktraveler, we find it particularly fascinating to observe how Ayame can display grey, green, and violet areas depending on ink flow and paper absorbency.
To fully appreciate this behaviour, we recommend using high-quality, low-absorbency papers such as the Life Ginkouka Paper Pad or the Midori Cotton Pad A5, where the colour transitions become especially visible.
Compatibility and Performance
Ayame has been formulated specifically for fountain pens. Its water-based composition provides smooth flow and easy cleaning while allowing writers to enjoy its complex colour variations without demanding maintenance. The 50 ml glass bottle also offers convenient filling for both standard and oversized fountain pens.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Dual Shade mean?
It is a formulation designed to display multiple colours within a single stroke depending on paper, nib, and ink concentration.
Which colours appear in Ayame?
Primarily green-grey, warm grey, and subtle purple tones that interact through shading and colour transitions.
Which nibs show the effect best?
Medium, broad, stub, zoom, and music nibs generally reveal the dual-shading effect more clearly.
Is it water resistant?
No. This is a water-based dye ink and is not intended to be waterproof.
Is it part of the third Manyo collection?
Yes. Ayame belongs to the third Sailor Manyo Dual Shade series released internationally in 2022.
Package Contents
50 ml Sailor Manyo glass ink bottle presented in its official Sailor cardboard box. (Product photographs are for illustrative purposes only and slight variations may exist between the images and the actual product.)
Technical Specifications
• Volume: 50 ml
• Ink type: water-based fountain pen ink
• Collection: Sailor Manyo Dual Shade Series III
• Main colour: green-grey with purple shading
• Bottle dimensions: 53 × 44 × 70 mm
• Approximate weight: 203 g
• Packaging: official Sailor cardboard box
• Box dimensions: 55 × 47 × 76 mm
Recommended Reading
If you would like to learn more about this generation of inks and discover the other colours in the series, you can read our guide to the Sailor Manyo III inks, where we explore Fuji, Ayame, Hinoki, and Koke together with their connections to the Man'yōshū.
History and Philosophy of Sailor
Founded in Hiroshima in 1911, Sailor is one of Japan's most respected writing instrument manufacturers. The company has developed some of the world's most distinctive fountain pen inks by combining technical research, artistic sensitivity, and a deep connection to Japanese culture. The Manyo collection perfectly reflects this philosophy by transforming flowers, trees, and landscapes from classical Japanese literature into colours capable of expressing emotion on paper.
"Like irises changing beneath the light of each season, Ayame reveals a different colour with every line."
Una tinta bellísima
Es una tinta que hay que saber domar.<br /> <br /> Tiene un sombreado impresionante, pero hay que aprender a sacarlo con el instrumento adecuado. La tinta es seca, como suelen ser las Manyo, con lo que requerirá de un alimentador con buen flujo. Una vez tenido en cuenta este detalle, la tinta nos dará grandes momentos de escritura.<br /> <br /> En mi caso, le saco toda la belleza en puntos más gruesos, como un B o un BB. Parece gris, pero lleva tonos verdes y algunos violetas que surgen en ocasiones dependiendo de la gota acumulada.<br /> <br /> Una vez domada, es una tinta que querrá tener uno siempre en una pluma para ser usada. De 10.