Best Japanese ink guide: 10+ top picks for writing, drawing, and more

Japanese ink has captivated artists around the world with its rich tones, smooth flow, and centuries-old craftsmanship. In this guide, we highlight over 10 top Japanese ink options perfect for writing, sketching, journaling, and artwork. Discover the best products and techniques to elevate your craft and read more detailed reviews at Kiichin.

1. Why is Japanese ink loved worldwide?

Japanese ink has captivated artists, calligraphers, and enthusiasts around the world for centuries. Its appeal goes far beyond just being a medium for writing or painting, it embodies tradition, artistry, and versatility. Below are the key reasons why Japanese ink is so beloved globally:

• Exceptional quality and craftsmanship: Japanese ink is carefully crafted using traditional methods refined over centuries. Solid ink sticks (sumi) are made by blending fine soot with natural binders and slowly drying them. This process ensures smooth, rich, and deep black pigment that is hard to replicate with synthetic inks, giving artists a reliable and consistent medium.
• Rich tonal range: By adjusting water and grinding time, Japanese ink can produce delicate greys, mid-tones, or deep blacks. This makes it ideal for ink painting in Japan (sumi-e), Japanese ink drawings, and expressive calligraphy.
• Connection to tradition and culture: Using Japanese ink connects artists to centuries-old practices like Shodo (calligraphy) and sumi-e painting. Grinding ink on a stone is a meditative, ritualistic process that adds mindfulness to creative work.
• Versatility across art forms: Japanese ink is used in calligraphy, painting, manga, illustration, stamping, tattoo art, and experimental forms. Bottled inks offer convenience for modern artists, while traditional ink sticks cater to purists.
  Longevity and lightfastness: High-quality Japanese ink is durable and resistant to fading, ensuring artwork can last for decades.
• Unique aesthetic appeal: The ink produces subtle gradients, rich textures, and expressive depth. This distinctive aesthetic is admired worldwide in Japanese ink drawings, sumi-e painting, and calligraphy.

2. Best Japanese ink for drawings and artwork

When it comes to drawing and creating artwork, Japanese ink offers exceptional quality, versatility, and expressive depth. From traditional sumi sticks to modern bottled inks, these options cater to both professional artists and hobbyists. Many artists who regularly use anime drawing supplies favor Japanese ink because it delivers strong line control, smooth gradients, and reliable pigmentation for illustration and manga-style artwork.

Below are some of the top picks for drawing and artwork.

1. Zen Minded Black Sumi Ink
2. Sailor Manyo Dual Shading Fountain Pen Ink
3. Kakimori ink
4. Sumi-e Ink for Fine Line

2.1 Zen Minded Black Sumi Ink

Zen Minded Black Sumi Ink is a classic choice for artists who want rich, deep black tones. It is suitable for a variety of media including brush, dip pen, and fine-line work. The ink flows smoothly, allowing for precise strokes while also producing subtle variations in tone when diluted with water.

This ink is ideal for calligraphy, ink drawings, and sumi-e painting. Its consistent pigmentation ensures that your lines remain bold and expressive, giving artwork a timeless quality.

• Best for: Calligraphy, sumi-e painting, detailed ink drawings
• Texture: Smooth, deep black, can be diluted for lighter shades
• Key benefit: Precise control and rich tonal depth

2.2 Sailor Manyo Dual Shading Fountain Pen Ink

Sailor Manyo Dual Shading Ink provides a unique dual-shading effect, which adds dimension and character to both writing and artwork. It works well with fountain pens, brushes, and dip pens, making it versatile for sketching, illustration, and journaling.

This ink allows artists to experiment with light and dark gradients easily, producing visually appealing shading in every stroke. Its vibrant yet elegant finish brings depth to drawings without extra effort.

• Best for: Sketching, illustration, shading experiments
• Texture: Smooth, dual-shade effect, works on fountain pen and brush
• Key benefit: Natural gradient and expressive strokes

2.3 Kakimori ink

Kakimori Ink is designed for artists seeking creativity and flexibility. It is ideal for line work, ink drawings, and experimental techniques. The pigment is highly stable, offering consistent color and smooth flow on various types of paper.

Artists can adjust the intensity of the ink by adding water, creating both bold outlines and delicate washes. Kakimori Ink is particularly favored for modern Japanese-style illustrations and mixed-media artwork.

• Best for: Fine-line drawing, modern illustration, creative experiments
• Texture: Smooth, pigment-rich, easily diluted for washes
• Key benefit: Versatile and reliable for detailed and expressive artwork

2.4 Sumi-e Ink for Fine Line

Sumi-e Ink for Fine Line is tailored for precision and subtle tonal variation. It works beautifully with brushes and fine pens, making it perfect for traditional Japanese ink painting as well as contemporary line art.

The ink provides a controlled flow that allows for both delicate details and expressive strokes. Its ability to produce subtle greys as well as deep black tones makes it ideal for artists who value nuanced shading and texture in their work.

• Best for: Traditional sumi-e painting, line art, delicate details
• Texture: Smooth, controllable, rich black to soft grey
• Key benefit: Precise control and tonal versatility

3. Top-notch Japanese ink for journaling

Journaling requires inks that combine reliability, smooth flow, and expressive tones. Japanese inks provide these qualities while adding an element of artistry to daily writing. When paired with high-quality Japanese writing pens, these inks elevate journaling, note-taking, and creative writing with richer shading and a smoother writing experience.

1. Sailor Seiboku Blue Black Pigmented Bottled Ink
2. Kakimori Ink Sampler Set
3. Kuretake Zig Saiboku Shimbi Colored Sumi Ink Stick

3.1 Sailor Seiboku Blue Black Pigmented Bottled Ink

Sailor Seiboku Blue Black Ink is a pigmented ink that delivers a deep, rich tone perfect for both writing and sketching. Its smooth flow ensures consistent lines with fountain pens, dip pens, or brushes. The ink is highly durable and resistant to smudging, making it ideal for daily journaling or note-taking.

The subtle blue-black shade adds sophistication to your pages while maintaining readability and elegance. Its versatility allows it to complement both fine writing and small illustrations within journals.

• Best for: Fountain pens, journaling, note-taking, sketching
• Texture: Smooth, well-flowing, pigmented for lasting color
• Key benefit: Elegant shading with high durability

3.2 Kakimori Ink Sampler Set

The Kakimori Ink Sampler Set offers a variety of tones in one collection, allowing journalers to experiment with colors and shading. Each ink has a smooth consistency that works well with pens, brushes, or dip pens.

This set is ideal for exploring different moods in your journals. You can use the inks to highlight text, create decorative elements, or add expressive sketches alongside written entries.

• Best for: Creative journaling, illustration, testing multiple shades
• Texture: Smooth, consistent flow, variety of colors
• Key benefit: Flexibility to experiment with multiple tones

3.3 Kuretake Zig Saiboku Shimbi Colored Sumi Ink Stick

Kuretake Zig Saiboku Shimbi Colored Sumi Ink Sticks bring the traditional art of grinding sumi ink into journaling. By mixing the solid stick with water on an ink stone, you can create custom shades from deep black to softer colored tones.

This ink stick allows for artistic freedom within your journals, making it suitable for calligraphy, sketches, and decorative elements. It offers a meditative and creative experience that connects modern journaling to traditional Japanese artistry.

• Best for: Journaling, calligraphy, decorative sketches
• Texture: Smooth, variable tones depending on water ratio
• Key benefit: Fully customizable shades with traditional sumi experience

4. Sumi ink from Japan for calligraphy and fish prints

Sumi ink is a cornerstone of Japanese artistry, used not only in calligraphy but also in traditional fish prints (Gyotaku) and other expressive ink art. Its deep, rich tones and smooth flow make it ideal for precise brushwork and detailed prints. Below are some top selections for artists and hobbyists alike.

1. Yasutomo Liquid Sumi Ink
2. Sumi Ink Stick
3. Kuretake Saiboku Shimbi Sumi Ink Sticks Senkou

4.1 Yasutomo Liquid Sumi Ink

Yasutomo Liquid Sumi Ink offers a ready-to-use solution for calligraphy, brushwork, and fish printing. The ink provides a deep black that flows consistently, allowing for bold strokes and smooth gradients. It is convenient for artists who prefer a liquid ink without the need to grind.

This ink is perfect for traditional calligraphy practice as well as Gyotaku fish prints, capturing intricate details with clarity. Its reliable consistency ensures that each stroke appears crisp and expressive.

• Best for: Calligraphy, Gyotaku fish prints, brushwork
• Texture: Smooth, deep black, easy to apply
• Key benefit: Convenient ready-to-use ink with strong pigmentation

4.2 Sumi Ink Stick

The traditional Sumi Ink Stick allows artists to grind their own ink using an ink stone. This method provides complete control over tone, from light grey washes to deep black strokes, making it ideal for calligraphy, fish prints, and sumi-e painting.

Grinding the ink can be a meditative process that connects the artist to centuries of Japanese tradition. This ink stick is particularly valued for its expressive potential and customizable consistency.

• Best for: Traditional calligraphy, Gyotaku fish prints, sumi-e painting
• Texture: Fully controllable, rich tonal range from grey to black
• Key benefit: Customizable shades and authentic Japanese ink experience

4.3 Kuretake Saiboku Shimbi Sumi Ink Sticks Senkou

Kuretake Saiboku Shimbi Sumi Ink Sticks Senkou provides premium quality ink for artists who want vibrant, smooth strokes. These solid sticks can be ground to achieve subtle gradations or deep, saturated black.

This ink is suitable for professional calligraphy, detailed fish prints, and traditional Japanese ink painting. Its high-quality pigment ensures lasting results and expressive artwork.

• Best for: Professional calligraphy, Gyotaku fish prints, traditional sumi-e
• Texture: Smooth, rich black, versatile shading
• Key benefit: High-quality pigment with consistent performance

Japanese ink offers a unique combination of tradition, quality, and expressive potential that appeals to artists, calligraphers, and journaling enthusiasts worldwide. Whether you choose ready-to-use bottled ink for convenience or traditional sumi sticks for a meditative and customizable experience, each type brings depth, tonal richness, and lasting beauty to your creative projects.

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