Ishimaru’s Color Bar - Martini

Color Bar Martini - Ink drop

Color Bar, the in-house brand of the Nagasaki-based Ishimaru Bunkoudou chain of stationery stores, appropriately theme their ink on popular cocktails. Ink number 83 is Martini. This is one of three that I recently purchased. I like the color. It’s interesting, and just as complex as I had imagined.

Ink Swatches on Cosmo Air Light and Tomoe River

Martini is a very attractive blend of golden brown and earthy green. I assume the name references the olive that often, so famously garnishes the drink. However, it’s much more than a simple olive green. Check out the color variation among the various papers used for swatches. It kind of feels like Iroshizuku Ina-ho with just the right amount of Rohrer and Klingner’s Alt Goldgrun. To me, that recipe is high praise in terms of color!

Ink Swatches on Iroful and Takasago Bank papers

In writing, Martini is slightly dry, but still comfortable and confident. Written strokes are most commonly the more burnt-butter golden brown, but hints of green are more forward on some papers. There were some feather blow-outs on Iroful, but that was likely due to fingerprint smudges, as it was otherwise consistently well-behaved and feather-free. I definitely think of this as a nice writing ink, and the chromatography teases rich opportunity to get more creative! On all papers (including cheap office copy), ghosting was not an issue at all. Good stuff!

Writing sample on Cosmo Air Snow paper

You can find Martini (and 91 other Color Bar inks) at Ishimaru stores in Japan, or order them online at www.ishimaru-bun.co.jp. Along with Color Bar, Ishimaru has several other collaboration series available, and much, much more.

Color Bar Martini ink writing samples

Color Bar Martini swatch card

Color Bar Martini ink comparisons

Color Bar Martini ink sample bottle