Sailor Manyo Takenoko 50 ml Fountain Pen Ink
The Sailor Manyo Takenoko 50 ml fountain pen ink is part of the fourth edition of the Manyo collection released in 2024. Inspired by takenoko, the Japanese bamboo shoot, this ink develops a warm yellow-green tone with soft golden undertones reminiscent of fresh bamboo shoots emerging during the Japanese spring season. Its colour conveys a natural, organic and luminous feeling deeply connected to traditional Japanese landscapes and seasonal 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 unique 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 colours inspired by plants, fruits and seasonal vegetation deeply connected to traditional Japanese life and culture. Takenoko represents especially well that relationship between spring renewal and the practical beauty of bamboo within Japanese tradition.
Takenoko and Japanese bamboo shoots
In Japan, bamboo shoots have been part of traditional cuisine for centuries and are strongly associated with growth, renewal and the arrival of spring. As bamboo matures, its canes are also used to create vessels, utensils and many everyday objects linked to Japanese craftsmanship and daily life.
That balance between natural freshness and artisanal tradition is reflected here in a warm yellow-green tone with delicate golden nuances that shift depending on the paper and nib used. With broader nibs, especially attractive tonal transitions and natural shading appear, recalling bamboo shoots illuminated by the soft light of early spring.
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, Takenoko reveals its warm undertones and natural shading especially beautifully.
Recommended paper for best results
To fully appreciate Takenoko’s tonal variations and natural 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 Takenoko’s tonal variations and natural shading most effectively.
Is Takenoko part of the limited collection?
Yes. Takenoko belongs to the limited edition colours introduced in the fourth Sailor Manyo release of 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 freshness of the first days of spring."
