Kuretake

Kuretake is a historic Japanese art and stationery brand, founded in 1902 during the Meiji era, with roots in traditional ink and brush making. Today, they’re best known to pen people for their richly colored, water-based dye inks and beautifully practical “Ink Café” concepts—inks designed to be mixed, customized, and enjoyed across writing, sketching, and calligraphy.

Their Meiji no Iro line, created to celebrate Kuretake’s 120th anniversary, is a perfect example of what they do best: expressive colors with a story. Each shade is inspired by a specific hue from Meiji-era Japan, so every bottle feels a bit like a time capsule on your desk. These inks are suitable for fountain pens, glass pens, dip pens, and Kuretake’s empty Karappo pens, making them a versatile choice whether you’re journaling, sketching, or building your own custom colors.