sample made with sailor manyo sumomo fountain pen inkSailor Manyo Sumomo 50 ml Fountain Pen Ink
The Sailor Manyo Sumomo 50 ml fountain pen ink is part of the fourth edition of Sailor’s Manyo collection released in 2024. Inspired by the Japanese sumomo, or Japanese plum, this ink develops an elegant reddish pink tone with warm nuances reminiscent of the first blossoms and fruits of early Japanese spring. Its colour conveys freshness, delicacy and a gentle nostalgic atmosphere deeply connected to traditional Japanese aesthetics.
Manyo and Japanese nature transformed into ink
The Manyo collection takes its inspiration from the Manyoshu, the oldest and most revered anthology of Japanese poetry. Sailor transforms natural elements mentioned in these classical poems into fountain pen ink colours, creating a collection where literature, seasons and writing come together in a particularly distinctive way appreciated by lovers of Japanese inks worldwide.
The fourth Manyo ink edition released in 2024 introduced the regular colours Sumomo, Nagi, Budo, Kuri and Azuki together with several limited editions also inspired by traditional Japanese nature. Each colour aims to represent a specific seasonal atmosphere through soft, organic and highly nuanced tones.
Sumomo and the arrival of spring
Sailor’s official description for Sumomo explains that the Japanese plum blossom blooms even earlier than cherry blossoms and seemed to announce the arrival of spring to people during the Manyo period.
That feeling of early spring is reflected here in a warm and luminous reddish pink tone with delicate tonal variations depending on the paper and nib used. With broader nibs, especially attractive colour transitions and soft shading appear, recalling plum blossoms and ripening fruits illuminated by the clear light of early spring mornings.
Compatibility and writing experience
This ink has been specially formulated for fountain pens, providing a stable and balanced flow. The elegant 50 ml glass bottle allows comfortable filling while making it easy to use the ink even when the level becomes low. On high quality Japanese paper, Sumomo reveals its warm undertones and natural shading especially beautifully.
Recommended paper for best results
To fully appreciate Sumomo’s tonal variations and shading, we recommend using Japanese paper such as the Midori Cotton Pad A5 or Japanese fountain pen notebooks from Life and Apica.
Frequently asked questions
Is this fountain pen ink?
Yes. It is formulated specifically for fountain pens and should not be used with other writing systems.
Is this a permanent ink?
No. This is a water-based dye ink and is not designed to be waterproof.
Which nib sizes show the best shading?
Medium, broad and stub nibs usually reveal Sumomo’s tonal variations and natural shading most effectively.
Is Sumomo part of the regular collection?
Yes. Sumomo belongs to the regular colours introduced in the fourth Sailor Manyo edition released in 2024.
Package contents
50 ml Sailor glass ink bottle presented in the original Sailor Manyo cardboard box. (Product photos are illustrative and slight variations may exist compared to the final product).
Recommended reading
If you would like to discover more colours inspired by Japanese nature, you can read our guide dedicated to Sailor Manyo inks.
History and philosophy of Sailor
Founded in Hiroshima in 1911, Sailor is one of Japan’s most respected writing instrument manufacturers. For more than a century, the company has combined traditional craftsmanship, technical innovation and Japanese aesthetic sensitivity to create fountain pens and inks appreciated worldwide by writers and collectors alike. The Manyo series represents especially well that connection between nature, literature and colour so characteristic of Japanese culture.
"Some colours seem to preserve the quiet light of the very first days of spring."
