Meiji No Iro inks were released in 2022 to commemorate Kuretake’s 120th anniversary. Japanese art supply company Kuretake was founded in 1902 during the Meiji era of Japan, and each color in this series is inspired by the art and fashions of that era. If you could travel back in time to 1902, you would have found these colors in clothing, decorative items, and of course- art supplies!
EBICHA（葡萄茶）In the Meiji era, Purple had been considered a noble color used by the aristocracy. Since people were afraid of using Purple, "EBICHA" was often used instead of traditional Purple. EBICHA had become a popular color for Hakama (Japanese traditional pants) intended for female students.
ARAISHU（洗朱）In the latter half of the Meiji era, cherishing Japanese culture and traditional Japanese-style colors will be a new development. One of those colors is "Araishu", a bright vermillion color that looks slightly washed.
SHIMBASHI-IRO（新橋色）In the late Meiji era, new colors were born with the creation of chemical dyes. "Shimbashi" is the name of a place found in Tokyo. The bright, bluish-green color was popular among "Geisha" in Shimbashi as it was fashionable and trendy.
KUROGANEIRO（鉄色）became popular during the middle of the Meiji era into the Taisho era. The color is characterized by a dark, dull, bluish green color, and was used often as the color for store clerk aprons.
KUJAKURYOKU（孔雀緑）"KUJAKURYOKU" had been introduced by the West during the Meiji era. It is a bright, bluish-green, like the beautiful feathers found in peacock wings. Peacocks have been loved in Japan since ancient times, and it is said that the recognition of the common people increased during the Edo period.
SHIKON（紫紺）Meiji era is also called "the purple era" because "purple" or "light purple" was often used in women's clothing as a chic or cool color. "Purple" has been one of the trendy colors since the Meiji era.
These water-based dye inks are compatible with fountain pens, dip/nib pens, and brushes for adding beautifully rich color to art and lettering. They also can be used to fill Kuretake's empty Karappo pens- as is, or mixed together to create your own custom-colored pens!
20mL / 0.71oz square glass bottle with faceted cap. Each ink is packaged in an elegant gift box that features a Meiji-era design to complement the color of the ink.
