Pilot Iroshizuku Fountain Pen Ink - Yama-Guri 50mL

Awesome

As far as sheen is concerned, Yama-Guri and Tsukushi are similar in heavily saturated areas where the ink pools: they both have a golden-green sheen and a purple or burgundy overtone, to the point where I thought I had used the same ink twice. But as soon as I dragged some ink away from the drop, it was clear that they were distinct colours, Yama-Guri looking like Diamine 150th Anniversary Espresso or Diamine x Cult Pens Deep Dark Brown. Yama-Guri shares the same greyish feel of Brun Ours from L’Artisan Pastellier (Encre Classique), but dries to a brighter shade—and feels smoother under the nib.

Depending on the pen and paper combo, I have observed a green undertone when the ink dries, which I find… hmm… meh… This happens more on ivory or cream-coloured paper.

This ink has a wet flow—almost watery—and I prefer it in drier pens: when I use my Sailor 1911L 21 kt H-B that has a wet flow, I have problems achieving readable “a”, “e”, “i” and “o” with my handwriting style; a crisp contained lined is elusive from that pen inked with Yama-Guri. I left it in that pen for a week to let evaporation do its thing, but all that did was saturate an already saturated ink and increase its green undertone.

I am glad I bought a sample to pit it against my other brown inks, but with all the lovely browns I already have, this one doesn't appeal to me, and I won’t be buying a bottle.