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Thread: Ink Review: Pilot Iroshizuku asa-gao (Morning Glory)

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    FPG Donor ♕ Chrissy's Avatar
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    Default Ink Review: Pilot Iroshizuku asa-gao (Morning Glory)

    Today I’m reviewing Pilot Iroshizuku asa-gao ink.

    From Japanese this translates to Morning Glory and is a rich royal blue colour.

    Asa-gao is a well-behaved ink that didn’t suffer from any skips or hard starts when I put the uncapped pen down to do swab tests, dry times and water resistance. It felt quite wet and smooth writing.

    It dried quickly in 15 or 16 seconds on the Clairefontaine Triomphe paper and didn’t smear after it was dry.

    Available in attractive Pilot Iroshizuku 50ml glass bottles and mini 15ml bottles from many outlets worldwide.


    • Flow Rate: Very good.
    • Lubrication: Very smooth.
    • Nib Dry-out: Not noticed.
    • Start-up: Immediate.
    • Saturation: Not saturated
    • Shading Potential: Some nice shading seen, and occasionally a little red sheen.
    • Show-Through: A little seen on some of the papers used, but I could write on the reverse of all of them.
    • Spread / Feathering / Woolly Line: Not seen
    • Nib Creep / “Crud”: Not seen, even after a couple of weeks in the pen.
    • Staining (pen): Not seen after several days - easy clean-up.
    • Staining (hands): Washed off of my hands easily.
    • Clogging: Not seen.
    • Water resistance: Not sold as waterproof, but shows a little water resistance.

    P.I. asa gao.jpg
    Last edited by Chrissy; July 12th, 2020 at 02:23 AM.
    Regards, Chrissy | My Review Blog: inkyfountainpens

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    aurore (July 12th, 2020), carlos.q (July 11th, 2020), damfino (September 7th, 2020), DrPenfection (March 29th, 2023), junglejim (July 13th, 2020), manoeuver (July 13th, 2020), Marsilius (July 11th, 2020), oannie (July 25th, 2020), Robert (July 11th, 2020), Sailor Kenshin (July 13th, 2020), tscweaves (July 12th, 2020), VerticalTwin (July 13th, 2020), welch (July 16th, 2020), Yazeh (July 11th, 2020)

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    Senior Member Robert's Avatar
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    Default Re: Ink Review: Pilot Iroshizuku asa-gao (Morning Glory)

    I've been using asa-gao for years, and if I had to live with only one ink asa-gao would be it. (If I were permitted two inks, iro. yama-guri would be the other.)

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    aurore (July 12th, 2020), Chrissy (July 12th, 2020), tscweaves (July 12th, 2020)

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    Default Re: Ink Review: Pilot Iroshizuku asa-gao (Morning Glory)

    This is one of my favorite inks!

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    aurore (July 12th, 2020), Chrissy (July 12th, 2020), tscweaves (July 12th, 2020)

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    Default Re: Ink Review: Pilot Iroshizuku asa-gao (Morning Glory)

    Lovely review of a lovely ink. This was my first Iroshizuku, given as a present (first one's always free).
    Fortibus es in ero

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    Chrissy (July 12th, 2020)

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    Default Re: Ink Review: Pilot Iroshizuku asa-gao (Morning Glory)

    Quote Originally Posted by Marsilius View Post
    Lovely review of a lovely ink. This was my first Iroshizuku, given as a present (first one's always free).
    You're welcome. It is a lovely ink. I don't remember if my first ever bottle of ink was free.
    Regards, Chrissy | My Review Blog: inkyfountainpens

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    Default Re: Ink Review: Pilot Iroshizuku asa-gao (Morning Glory)

    Lovely review. Such a beautiful bold blue.... It's funny, I have some Japanese Asa-Gao growing this year ...Though the will be flowering much later....I'm hoping Mid August.... But I doubt mine will be as deep, as a rich blue as this ink.......

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    Default Re: Ink Review: Pilot Iroshizuku asa-gao (Morning Glory)

    Quote Originally Posted by Yazeh View Post
    Lovely review. Such a beautiful bold blue.... It's funny, I have some Japanese Asa-Gao growing this year ...Though the will be flowering much later....I'm hoping Mid August.... But I doubt mine will be as deep, as a rich blue as this ink.......
    On the contrary, your flowers will almost certainly be more beautiful than the ink. The ink only hints at the depth & richness of the flower’s color.

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    Senior Member Yazeh's Avatar
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    Default Re: Ink Review: Pilot Iroshizuku asa-gao (Morning Glory)

    Quote Originally Posted by guyy View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by Yazeh View Post
    Lovely review. Such a beautiful bold blue.... It's funny, I have some Japanese Asa-Gao growing this year ...Though the will be flowering much later....I'm hoping Mid August.... But I doubt mine will be as deep, as a rich blue as this ink.......
    On the contrary, your flowers will almost certainly be more beautiful than the ink. The ink only hints at the depth & richness of the flower’s color.
    Thanks that's so kind.
    I should have been more precise, my morning glories, albeit Japanese are of the light blue kind......

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    Default Re: Ink Review: Pilot Iroshizuku asa-gao (Morning Glory)

    Thanks for the review. This ink is one of two bottles of ink that I have, the rest are all samples. I just love this ink, I think it is in 4 of my pens right now. I almost feel that I never have to try another blue ink, which really helps when it comes to picking one. It looks and preforms exactly the way I want it to and the color both wet and dry is gorgeous.

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    Chrissy (July 12th, 2020)

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    Default Re: Ink Review: Pilot Iroshizuku asa-gao (Morning Glory)

    Quote Originally Posted by tscweaves View Post
    Thanks for the review. This ink is one of two bottles of ink that I have, the rest are all samples. I just love this ink, I think it is in 4 of my pens right now. I almost feel that I never have to try another blue ink, which really helps when it comes to picking one. It looks and preforms exactly the way I want it to and the color both wet and dry is gorgeous.
    You're welcome. Four pens filled with the same ink is a very good recommendation.
    Regards, Chrissy | My Review Blog: inkyfountainpens

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    Default Re: Ink Review: Pilot Iroshizuku asa-gao (Morning Glory)

    Is Blue Velvet quite similar, but more saturated?

    Sent from my Moto E (4) using Tapatalk

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    Default Re: Ink Review: Pilot Iroshizuku asa-gao (Morning Glory)

    Quote Originally Posted by TSherbs View Post
    Is Blue Velvet quite similar, but more saturated?

    Sent from my Moto E (4) using Tapatalk
    Yes it is but it doesn't lean as purple as asa-gao.
    Regards, Chrissy | My Review Blog: inkyfountainpens

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    Default Re: Ink Review: Pilot Iroshizuku asa-gao (Morning Glory)

    Quote Originally Posted by Chrissy View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by TSherbs View Post
    Is Blue Velvet quite similar, but more saturated?

    Sent from my Moto E (4) using Tapatalk
    Yes it is but it doesn't lean as purple as asa-gao.
    roger roger

    Imma have to try some Velvet.

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    Default Re: Ink Review: Pilot Iroshizuku asa-gao (Morning Glory)

    A fabulous review. As always. Thank you a lot, Chrissy!
    Arguably one of the best blue inks. If it is availble for a reasonable price (nothing like 40 USD what it costs in some European countries), it is a must.

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    Default Re: Ink Review: Pilot Iroshizuku asa-gao (Morning Glory)

    Quote Originally Posted by aurore View Post
    A fabulous review. As always. Thank you a lot, Chrissy!
    Arguably one of the best blue inks. If it is availble for a reasonable price (nothing like 40 USD what it costs in some European countries), it is a must.
    You're welcome and thank you for your recommendation. I'm going to have to try to find a reasonably priced bottle.
    Regards, Chrissy | My Review Blog: inkyfountainpens

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    Default Re: Ink Review: Pilot Iroshizuku asa-gao (Morning Glory)

    Quote Originally Posted by Chrissy View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by aurore View Post
    A fabulous review. As always. Thank you a lot, Chrissy!
    Arguably one of the best blue inks. If it is availble for a reasonable price (nothing like 40 USD what it costs in some European countries), it is a must.
    You're welcome and thank you for your recommendation. I'm going to have to try to find a reasonably priced bottle.
    The best is probably from Japan, especially if shipped airmail/SAL instead of EMS. I would suggest the same merchants as in case of Pilot Blue-Black 350ml, that would mean appx. 18-19 pounds incl. shipping.
    While a nice ink, 30 quid is a bit too much

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    Senior Member VertOlive's Avatar
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    Default Re: Ink Review: Pilot Iroshizuku asa-gao (Morning Glory)

    Another must have review!
    "Nolo esse salus sine vobis ...” —St. Augustine

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    Default Re: Ink Review: Pilot Iroshizuku asa-gao (Morning Glory)

    I like this ink as well. I have it in my collection.

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    Chrissy (July 13th, 2020)

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    Default Re: Ink Review: Pilot Iroshizuku asa-gao (Morning Glory)

    Quote Originally Posted by aurore View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by Chrissy View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by aurore View Post
    A fabulous review. As always. Thank you a lot, Chrissy!
    Arguably one of the best blue inks. If it is availble for a reasonable price (nothing like 40 USD what it costs in some European countries), it is a must.
    You're welcome and thank you for your recommendation. I'm going to have to try to find a reasonably priced bottle.
    The best is probably from Japan, especially if shipped airmail/SAL instead of EMS. I would suggest the same merchants as in case of Pilot Blue-Black 350ml, that would mean appx. 18-19 pounds incl. shipping.
    While a nice ink, 30 quid is a bit too much
    I looked on ebay.com and Amazon.co.uk and the prices from Japan sellers that I found were no cheaper in total than they are at The Writing Desk. I've also seen information that Japan Post isn't currently working internationally.
    Regards, Chrissy | My Review Blog: inkyfountainpens

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    Default Re: Ink Review: Pilot Iroshizuku asa-gao (Morning Glory)

    Quote Originally Posted by Chrissy View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by aurore View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by Chrissy View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by aurore View Post
    A fabulous review. As always. Thank you a lot, Chrissy!
    Arguably one of the best blue inks. If it is availble for a reasonable price (nothing like 40 USD what it costs in some European countries), it is a must.
    You're welcome and thank you for your recommendation. I'm going to have to try to find a reasonably priced bottle.
    The best is probably from Japan, especially if shipped airmail/SAL instead of EMS. I would suggest the same merchants as in case of Pilot Blue-Black 350ml, that would mean appx. 18-19 pounds incl. shipping.
    While a nice ink, 30 quid is a bit too much
    I looked on ebay.com and Amazon.co.uk and the prices from Japan sellers that I found were no cheaper in total than they are at The Writing Desk. I've also seen information that Japan Post isn't currently working internationally.

    It is again working Internationally. As I posted elsewhere:
    Since rakuten international passed away everything has became more tricky. Basically there are 2 options: order from anywhere in Japan and use a forwarding service or order from some of the reliable merchants directly (I know at least 2 from my buying on rakuten, both are great).

    If you do not want to use a forwarding service I can recommend two stores who ship abroad (no affiliation, just a flawless experience):

    1)https://www.instagram.com/komamono_honpo/ - they are really superb, bought many times from them on rakuten international and off rakuten, you may contact them directly via instagram
    2) they run rakuten store https://www.rakuten.co.jp/wow/ their non-rakuten email is: officeoc.kana0320@gmail.com
    Last edited by aurore; July 14th, 2020 at 03:20 PM.

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