Pilot Iroshizuku syo-ro (Dew on a Pine Tree)

[Chrissy]

Today I’m reviewing Pilot Iroshizuku syo-ro ink.

“The name "iroshizuku" is a combination of the Japanese words "iro" (colouring) expressing high standards and variation of colours, and "shizuku" (droplet), which embodies the very image of dripping water. Each ink name derives from the expressions of beautiful Japanese natural landscapes and plants, all of which contribute to the depth of each individual hue. Enjoy Japan's rich and subtle colour aesthetic as you write. Pilot has always manufactured its own inks, which are renowned throughout the world.”

Syo-ro translates from Japanese to “Dew on a Pine Tree” and it is a slightly blue leaning teal that is similar to the colour of a Pine tree. In the right pen with the right paper it can look more blue with a red sheen. You can see signs of some sheen when I wrote with the TWSBI Eco 1.1mm pen.

It didn’t suffer from any hard starts or non-starts when I put the uncapped pen down to do swab tests, dry times and water resistance. It started up straight away with no problem even after the pen had been filled for several days. It always behaved very well.

I have used this ink several times over the years and have always really liked it. I consider it an autumn/winter ink and one very suitable for writing Christmas cards. In my opinion it is one of the top three Pilot Iroshizuku inks and ought to be in every ink collection.

It dried within 20 seconds on my Clairefontaine Triomphe paper and didn’t smear after it was dry.

Available in attractive Pilot Iroshizuku 50ml or 15ml glass bottles from several outlets worldwide. Thank you to the Writing Desk for my sample.

• Flow Rate: Excellent - Feels wet.
• Lubrication: Very smooth - Well lubricated.
• Nib Dry-out: Not noticed.
• Start-up: Immediate.
• Saturation: Medium saturation.
• Shading Potential: Some shading and some sheen seen.
• Show-Through: None seen on papers I used.
• Spread / Feathering / Woolly Line: None seen.
• Nib Creep / “Crud”: Not seen, even after several days in the pen.
• Staining (pen): Not seen after several days - fairly easy clean-up.
• Staining (hands): Washed off of my hands after two washes.
• Clogging: Not seen.
• Water resistance: Not sold as waterproof but shows good water resistance.

PI syo ro M.jpg

[TSherbs]

Another fine review, Chrissy.

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[mizgeorge]

Thank you Chrissy - another excellent review. Sadly, this is an ink that is just on the borderline of one of the few colour ranges I don't like, so whilst I have it, I use it only very rarely. Looking at your samples though, I may try it again on cream paper, where it seems more pleasing, so thank you for that too!

[Chrissy]

Another fine review, Chrissy.

Sent from my moto g power using Tapatalk

Thank you Chrissy - another excellent review. Sadly, this is an ink that is just on the borderline of one of the few colour ranges I don't like, so whilst I have it, I use it only very rarely. Looking at your samples though, I may try it again on cream paper, where it seems more pleasing, so thank you for that too!

You're both welcome. Fortunately I seem to use cream paper more often than white paper.

[Chrissy]

I have started to wonder if I remember syo-ro as being slightly more green than it looks here. However, my actual review sheet has scanned in very accurately. Maybe I'm thinking of another ink?

[Marsilius]

I remember that this ink is one color as you write and then dries differently. It seems to go from green to blue-green (or the other way around?). Some days it is like pine and others it is like blue spruce . . .

[Chrissy]

I remember that this ink is one color as you write and then dries differently. It seems to go from green to blue-green (or the other way around?). Some days it is like pine and others it is like blue spruce . . .

Thank you. That must be it.

[DrPenfection]

Thank you, Chrissy, for taking the time to do this review. I appreciate that you do this in such a thorough fashion. This is one bottle of PI inks that I do not have. Personally, I prefer Shin-ryoku or Ku-Jaku. This seems right in the middle.

[Chrissy]

Thank you, Chrissy, for taking the time to do this review. I appreciate that you do this in such a thorough fashion. This is one bottle of PI inks that I do not have. Personally, I prefer Shin-ryoku or Ku-Jaku. This seems right in the middle.

You are very welcome. I think it's one of the first P.I. inks I ever bought as a bottle, but just don't use it much