Sailor Shikiori Nioisumire 20 ml Fountain Pen Ink
The Sailor Shikiori Nioisumire 20 ml Fountain Pen Ink belongs to Sailor's Shikiori collection, a series inspired by the landscapes, fragrances, and emotions associated with Japan's four seasons. Nioisumire (匂菫) is one of the spring-inspired colours and features a delicate blue-violet tone reminiscent of the small wild violets that bloom at the beginning of the season.
The Shikiori Collection
The changing seasons have inspired Japanese poetry, painting, and literature for centuries. Through the Shikiori collection, Sailor transforms these seasonal scenes into colours designed to enrich everyday writing. Each ink captures a specific moment in nature, allowing the writing experience to evoke landscapes and emotions beyond the colour itself.
Rather than simply reproducing natural colours, Shikiori inks seek to convey the atmosphere and beauty of the seasons through carefully crafted shades.
Nioisumire and the Fragrance of Spring Violets
The name Nioisumire (匂菫) can be translated as "fragrant violet". It refers to the delicate wild violets that bloom throughout Japan during early spring and are appreciated for both their subtle beauty and gentle fragrance.
Sailor's official inspiration for this colour is:
Sweet violets that give off a sweet fragrance in the gentle breezes of early spring.
The scene evokes the tranquillity of a spring garden where flowers begin to bloom after the cold months of winter. Sailor interprets this image through an elegant blue-violet shade that recalls violet petals and the bright atmosphere of the season's first mild days.
Nioisumire belongs to the spring-inspired colours within the Shikiori collection and stands out for its refined balance between blue and violet, offering character while remaining highly practical for everyday writing.
An Elegant Ink for Everyday Writing
Sailor's formulation provides smooth flow and reliable performance, allowing the subtle depth of the colour to be fully appreciated. Its tone is equally suitable for journals, correspondence, note-taking, and daily writing, offering a sophisticated alternative to traditional blue inks.
The compact 20 ml bottle also makes it easy to explore the wider Shikiori collection and discover other colours inspired by the seasons of Japan.
Nioisumire is also available as Sailor Shikiori ink cartridges, which can be found in our Sailor Shikiori cartridge collection.
Matching colours are also available in Sailor's Shikiori marker range, which you can explore in our Sailor Shikiori marker collection.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Nioisumire mean?
It means "fragrant violet" and refers to the delicate wild violets that bloom during the Japanese spring.
What colour is this ink?
It features an elegant blue-violet shade inspired by spring violets.
Is it suitable for fountain pens?
Yes. It is formulated specifically for fountain pens and can also be used with dip pens.
Is it available in cartridges?
Yes. Sailor offers this colour in both bottled ink and cartridge formats.
Package Contents
20 ml Sailor Shikiori glass ink bottle with official Sailor packaging. (Product photographs are for illustrative purposes only and slight variations may exist between the images and the actual product.)
Technical Specifications
• Volume: 20 ml
• Ink type: water-based fountain pen ink
• Collection: Sailor Shikiori
• Colour: blue-violet inspired by fragrant spring violets
• Compatible with fountain pens and dip pens
• Glass bottle
• Made in Japan
History and Philosophy of Sailor
Founded in Hiroshima in 1911, Sailor has developed some of the world's most respected Japanese fountain pen inks. The Shikiori collection reflects the close relationship between writing, nature, and seasonality that characterises much of Japanese aesthetics, transforming everyday seasonal scenes into colours that enrich daily writing.
"The first flowers of spring may be small and discreet, yet they gently announce the arrival of a new season."
