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Ink# 2 - Iroshizuku - Murasaki Shikibu (Purple)

Discovering Fountain Pens at Tokyu Hands

During my time in Shibuya, I decided to explore the Tokyu Hands Department Store. I was pleased to find a modest but decent selection of fountain pens and inks on the 5th floor, with prices that were fantastic at just 1,500 Yen. I couldn’t resist picking up my second Iroshizuku Ink—Murasaki Shikibu (Purple)—which I had always wanted. To my surprise, it was cheaper here than on Amazon!

Iroshizuku Ink: Murasaki Shikibu

The name Murasaki Shikibu is a clever play on words, referring both to a famous Japanese author and a purple berry. The author had a penchant for purple clothing, and the berry is also purple in color. It’s intriguing to think that the berry might have been named after the author, which could explain why the ink is colored after her!

In terms of its appearance, Murasaki Shikibu is not as vibrant as Kon-Peki, but I appreciate its more subdued characteristic. The ink flows well, possibly because I left a few drops of water in my Platinum pen after rinsing it before inking.

Overall, I'm quite pleased with this color choice and happy I took a chance on it!

Tokyu Hands Experience

Visiting Tokyu Hands was a delightful experience. They allowed me to try a variety of pens and colors, which was fantastic for testing out different options. While they didn’t have the Pilot Heritage 92 that I was hoping for, I was able to experiment with other types of nibs, from broad to musical. However, as a novice with fountain pens, I think I’ll stick with fine nibs for now.

The atmosphere in the store was lively, and it was fun to engage with different inks and pens, deepening my appreciation for the art of fountain pen writing. Overall, it was a highlight of my trip, combining my love for writing instruments with the excitement of exploring a unique store in Tokyo.



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