Inktend / Ink library / Karashi-iro

KA-KU

Karashi-iro

Warm tones#B18A31

KA-KU is one of the 713 brands in Inktend's built-in ink catalog.

Track this bottle → Find this ink ↗Also on Amazon

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Specs

Color familyWarm tones
Approx. hex#B18A31
SheenNot typically noted
BrandKA-KU

Paper & pairing

Warm tones (oranges, yellows, ambers) show strong contrast between light and dark areas of each stroke, which is part of why they're popular with broader nibs. This ink will behave predictably on most fountain-pen-friendly paper. Cheap, highly absorbent paper (standard copier paper) will dull any ink's saturation and can cause feathering or bleed-through with wetter nibs.

Own a bottle of Karashi-iro?
Track fills, remaining bottle life, and your real paper swatch in Inktend.
Track it →

About KA-KU

KA-KU is a Japanese fountain pen specialty retailer operated by KAKU Co., Ltd., headquartered in the Osaka area. The name means 'to write' in Japanese, and the company runs pen shop counters in department stores along with an online store carrying fountain pens, world stationery, and art supplies, and serves as the Japanese importer of TWSBI. KA-KU also offers original fountain pen inks, including region-themed colors and its mixable 'ink mazeru' line.

Japan Founded Unknown
See all KA-KU products →

Storing and using the bottle

Bottled fountain pen ink has an effectively long shelf life when kept capped and out of direct sunlight: most inks remain usable for years. The main risk isn't the ink spoiling, it's a pen sitting inked and unused for weeks: that's what causes clogs, not the ink's age.

Frequently asked questions

What color family is Karashi-iro?
Karashi-iro falls into Inktend's warm tones family based on its typical swatch color.
Does Karashi-iro have sheen?
Karashi-iro is not typically noted for sheen. If you want that effect, browse similarly colored inks tagged with sheen in the ink library.
How should I store a bottle of Karashi-iro?
Years, easily, as long as it stays capped and out of direct sunlight. The thing that actually shortens an ink's usable life is sitting unused inside a pen, not sitting on a shelf.
What paper works best with Karashi-iro?
It behaves predictably on most fountain-pen-friendly paper. Stick to something reasonably absorbent-resistant, since cheap copier paper dulls saturation and can feather.

Similar shades By colour distance

2026 Little Craft Fest - Howdy Houston
Tono & Lims
Scented - Popcorn
De Atramentis
Keystone Formula - Tiger's Eye
Birmingham Pen Co.
Underwater - Neptune's Necklace
Van Dieman's
Pearlescent - Whisky Brown Gold
De Atramentis
Koroai
Kingdom Note

Color shown is a close digital approximation of a typical swatch, not a calibrated color match.