Kyo No Oto Nurebairo is a black ink that breaks the boring mold.
I’ve used other black inks in the past - primarily Sailor Nano Black - but there are no other black inks that I choose to use, unless forced to do so. That’s a common issue for black inks. Why use it when there are thousands of inks on the market with more color and character?
Nurebairo is the first black ink in recent memory that I actually look forward to inking up and using.
For starters, I see this as a very black ink on the page - especially when I’m using a wide, wet nib like this Nakaya broad stub. It goes down thick, and dries dark. I bring this up because some users see a dark blue undertone with this ink. I see that shade if I spread it on thin and dry, which I think is a feature. That undertone of blue is one of the reasons I love it.
Secondly, this ink sheens well. The full perimeter of my letters on the page show a bronze-tinted halo. But, it is a very office-friendly look at the same time. If your boss peeks over your shoulder at your notes they won’t have to wonder what wild shimmer ink you’re using. It is boring black from afar, but you can see how special it is from close range.
Thirdly, you can’t see any of this in my photos. The character of the ink was practically impossible for me to capture.
This is as close as I could get to showing the sheen. The page is angled in the light, picking up the added color in the top half of the image. (Yoseka notebook)
Nurebairo translates to “jet black,” which I think is fair. Many other users of this ink refer to it as Raven, which I think is a better description. Have you ever seen the iridescent shine on a raven’s feathers? That is what this ink is like. This color is not basic black, it is Black+.
Rhodia A4 Dot Pad
If I’m forced to list a downside to this ink it is that it’s not waterproof. That never changes my opinion of an ink, but I also don’t require waterproofness for daily use. If I did, the aforementioned Nano Black does the trick, along with the hugely popular Platinum Carbon Black, which is an artist favorite.
Is there another black ink on the market that is as interesting as Kyo No Oto Nurebairo? If so, I would like to try it, because I have no use for any other black ink than this one.
(JetPens provided this product at no charge to The Pen Addict for review purposes.)
Enjoy reading The Pen Addict? Then consider becoming a member to receive additional weekly content, giveaways, and discounts in The Pen Addict shop. Plus, you support me and the site directly, for which I am very grateful.
Membership starts at just $5/month, with a discounted annual option available. To find out more about membership click here and join us!
Pebble Stationery Co. 52 GSM Tomoe River Paper
