Sailor - Manyo - Akebi

Sailor - Manyo - Akebi - Ink drop

Akebi is part of Sailor’s Manyo series. The name “Akebi” comes from a shrub (“Chocolate Vine” in English) native to Korea, Japan, and China. The unusual fruit resembles a mango in shape. It typically has a dark violet, or magenta outside, with translucent white flesh, and shiny, black seeds. It’s soft and crunchy, with a mild sweet and bitter flavor.

This ink really is a stunner! It’s a moderate shading ink, and the base color is a deep, dusty, plum-magenta. Strokes in wider nibs almost glow from the center. Lighter areas are more of a true magenta. The ink projects a soft, comfortable, bold, yet fun impression. Despite first impressions, there really isn’t anything garish about the ink in writing. Contrasting beautifully, both areas of pooling and stroke edges are ringed with a brilliant, brassy sheen.

Sailor - Manyo - Akebi - Ink Swatch Card

As a writing ink, Akebi performed very well. I liked it best on Kokuyo, where it produced the most shading, but Rhodia was great, too. Both produced razor-sharp stroke profiles. Mnemosyne showed a hint of feather, but it was very good overall. On these three, drying was 20 seconds. It didn’t sheen or shade on office copy, and there was some feathering, but it was still usable. However, I didn’t get great results on Apica.

Sailor is a master ink maker, and the Manyo series inks are gorgeous. It’s easy to recommend Akebi. If you’re worried that it might be too bold for you, don’t hesitate. In writing, this is a very restrained magenta-plum, that I think anyone will enjoy.