BUNGUBOX - Kanda Matsuri

BUNGUBOX Kanda Matsuri - Ink drop

The Kanda Matsuri (festival) is one of the three biggest in Tokyo. Over 200 large, elaborate shrines are carried by groups of women in a raucous, joyous, chanting procession through parts of central Tokyo. Each group wears jackets in colors representing their neighborhoods. This ink is meant to represent the rich, burnt red orange of Sarugakucho, the home of BUNGUBOX.

Ink Swatches on Cosmo Air Light and Tomoe River

The specific deep red orange of the jacket is a very trending color for 2026 and 2027, and it is one of my favorites. The jacket color and shape forms the label on both the bottle and box. Seeing all of this, I was immediately excited to open the ink.

Ink Swatches on Iroful and Takasago Bank papers

I’ll start with the positives. This is a beautifully balanced ink. Sailor makes the BUNGUBOX inks, and you get all of the positive qualities that make Sailor inks so loved. Flow and feel are both effortless pleasure. There are no worries about feathering. On all papers tested, strokes are confident and clean. Shading is also consistent and adds a nice variation. This is a wonderful writing ink.

Writing sample on Cosmo Air Snow paper

My negatives are subjective, but I was really expecting more of the red influence that I see in the jacket. What I found was much more a dark caramel orange, and it lacked those red qualities. It’s a very nice color, it’s just not what I imagined.

BUNGUBOX Kanda Matsuri - Swatch Card

Overall, of course I recommend BUNGUBOX Kanda Matsuri. In writing experience and performance, it’s an excellent ink. I’d love a bit more red, but if you like the color, you’ll have no complaints at all. The 50 ml bottle is beautifully presented, and it makes a great souvenir of a visit to Tokyo and BUNGUBOX. You can also find it at many of the stores that carry BUNGUBOX inks.

BUNGUBOX Kanda Matsuri - Comparisons

BUNGUBOX Kanda Matsuri 50 ml bottle