Curious about powerhouse blue inks? Read today’s Sailor Shikiori vs Iroshizuku blue ink comparison. This side-by-side ink showdown dives into five gorgeous blues from two of the most iconic Japanese ink collections. Whether you’re eyeing a calm hydrangea hue or a cerulean stunner, today’s ink comparison will help you pick your perfect match.
Meet the Ink Makers: Sailor & Pilot
Sailor Ink Studio (Japan)
With over a century of craftsmanship, Sailor’s inks are renowned for their expressive color palettes, thoughtful symbolism, and intricate shading. The Shikiori ink series (meaning “Four Seasons”) celebrates the shifting tones of nature and emotion.
Pilot Iroshizuku (Japan)
“Iro” means color, and “shizuku” means droplet—so Iroshizuku inks are literally “color droplets.” Each bottle pulls inspiration from a specific place or iconic experience in Japan. Known for their smooth flow and elegant bottle design, these inks are beloved by fountain pen users worldwide.
Get to Know the Ink Series
- Sailor Shikiori Sound of Rain & Four Seasons Collections: Subtle, evocative colors often inspired by weather, emotion, or seasonal moments.
- Pilot Iroshizuku Series: Lush, poetic color names tied to Japan’s natural beauty, delivered in premium packaging with smooth-flowing formulas.
This Week’s Ink Comparison: Blue Hues Face-Off
We tested five inks:
- Sailor Shikiori Zaza (Sound of Rain Collection)
- Sailor Shikiori Souten (Four Seasons Collection)
- Pilot Iroshizuku Asa-gao (Morning Glory)
- Pilot Iroshizuku Kon-Peki (Cerulean Blue)
- Pilot Iroshizuku Ajisai (Hydrangea)
Each ink was swatched using:
- Paintbrush for broad color
- Cotton swab for saturation and layering
- Pilot Iro-Utsushi Dip Pen for writing sample
- Paper used: Rhodia Goalbook
How Today’s Blue Inks Compare:
Each ink tells a different story in blue:
Sailor Shikiori Zaza
- Tone: Deep stormy blue
- Performance: Darkest of the bunch, with noticeable saturation
- Vibe: Rainy introspection; brooding and bold
Sailor Shikiori Souten
- Tone: Vibrant sapphire with a hint of sheen
- Performance: Smooth and steady in the dip pen
- Vibe: Energetic and attention-grabbing
Pilot Iroshizuku Asa-gao
- Tone: Bright royal blue
- Performance: Easy to read, low feathering
- Vibe: Classic and versatile, and a great daily go-to ink
Pilot Iroshizuku Kon-Peki
- Tone: Cerulean leaning towards turquoise
- Performance: Bold saturation and soft shading
- Vibe: Adventurous and tropical
Pilot Iroshizuku Ajisai
- Tone: Gentle blue-violet
- Performance: Lightest and most delicate
- Vibe: Peaceful and poetic without getting lost on the page
Ink Bottle and Packaging
- Sailor Shikiori: 20ml square glass bottles with gold caps, a compact, easy-to-use design
- Iroshizuku: 50ml glass bottles with dip-friendly indent and minimalist prestige, a popular “display-quality” bottle
Both are sturdy, shelf-worthy, and display beautifully.
Other Products Used During Testing
- Pilot Iro-Utsushi Dip Pen
- Standard paintbrush & cotton swab
- Rhodia Goalbook (dot grid, white paper)
Special Properties
- Shading: Zaza, Ajisai, and Kon-Peki show the most visible shading.
- Sheen: Souten shows a subtle red sheen.
- Shimmer: None of the inks in this test shimmer.
Feathering or Bleeding?
- No feathering or bleeding was observed on Rhodia paper during writing; however, we did see some feathering when using heavy brush or cotton swab applications for the swatches.
Final Thoughts: Which Blue Ink Should You Choose?
If you’re trying to choose a blue ink from Sailor Shikiori vs Iroshizuku blue ink options, here’s our breakdown:
- Love moody, dramatic blue? Try Zaza.
- Want bold but refined? Go with Souten.
- Looking for a classic, everyday blue? Asa-gao delivers.
- Prefer vibrant, sunny cerulean? Kon-Peki wins.
- Need a light, poetic blue? You’ll love Ajisai.
Each ink offers something uniquely beautiful, and they all perform like pros in your favorite fountain pens.
FAQ: Sailor Shikiori vs Iroshizuku Blue Ink
Q: Are Sailor and Iroshizuku inks interchangeable in any fountain pen?
A: Yes, both inks are safe for standard fountain pens.
Q: Which ink is more saturated?
A: Zaza and Kon-Peki showed the deepest saturation in our tests.
Q: Are any of these waterproof?
A: No, none of the inks featured in today’s ink comparison are waterproof.
Q: Do these inks sheen or shimmer?
A: Only Sailor Souten had a hint of sheen. None of the five tested include shimmer.
Q: Can I use these inks in vintage pens?
A: All are safe, but test first; vintage pens can be picky!
Shop the Inks
Ready to add one (or five) of these beautiful blues to your collection? Shop Sailor Shikiori inks and Pilot Iroshizuku inks at PenChalet.com.
Have a favorite ink comparison idea?
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Nice, albeit limited in scope, roundup. If you want something a little more saturated than Souten, but still a Sailor ink, then give Manyo Konagi a try.
Konagi would be a beautiful addition, excellent recommendation.
Thank you for this review. I’m new to fountain pens and inks and reviews like this are so helpful. The Zaza is my favorite shade.
I hope you continue to find aspects of fountain pens and inks that you love! Zaza is a standout in this lineup, for sure.
Thanks for showing these blues side-by-side! In the future it would be great if the write-ups were written in the same order as the colors appear in the pictures. For instance, the Zaza color is listed first in the written description of the colors, but it’s second from the top in the swatches. And the picture of the bottom color was cut off in all of the pictures, so I had to use the process of elimination to figure out that it was Ajisai. Appreciate the effort to show what these colors are like for those of us who can’t… Read more »
You’re right – can’t believe we left that one poor ink hanging without full identification. I’ll have to make a note to double check it next time (AND keep them in order).
Oooh. If only Asa Gao were just a little more purple I’d have a full bottle.
I think I’ll be trying the Zaza. Going to look for a grey for editing next
The shading on that zaza is incredible!
I’m always down for some green or brown reviews
I would love to see the Diamine Forever inks reviewed as well.
I love these shades of blue. They are bold, vibrant and eye-catching
magnificent blues, like the colour of eyes