Kyo No Oto - Keshimurasaki

Kyo No Oto - Keshimurasaki - ink drop

Part of Takeda Jimuki’s Kyo-No-Oto line made for their Kyoto-based TAG stationery stores, this is Keshimurasaki, or sun-faded purple. I think the name wonderfully captures the essence of this beautiful ink.

Kyo No Oto - Keshimurasaki - ink color range

Keshimurasaki truly has the powdery, soft look of a fabric, or something printed that has faded from being in the sun for a long time. In the right pen, this is a sophisticated, poetic ink. And that is my only issue with this lovely ink, it requires a compatible mate to perform at its best.

Kyoto TAG inks can be a little dry in the wrong pen, but I don’t find them to be overly dry. However, Keshimurasaki is noticeably drier than many of the others I have tried. That isn’t to say that it performs poorly, but it does mean that you need to pair it with the right nib and feed to enjoy a completely pleasurable writing experience. When you do, it’s a lovely ink! It’s very expressive and has very nice shading. Strokes are clean and crisp, and there’s a definitive haloing that makes this soft, gentle, ink pop!

Kyo No Oto - Keshimurasaki - ink swatch card

I really like Kyoto TAG inks. I’m going to be extra careful with Keshimurasaki and keep track of its pen friends, but the color is unique, and I’m happy to have it! This one is often sold out, so if it interests you, grab it when you can.

September 2020