{"title":"Kuretake","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"kuretake-ink-cafe-fountain-pen-ink-meiji-no-iro-20ml","title":"Kuretake Ink-Café Fountain Pen Ink - Meiji no Iro (20ml)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMeiji no Iro (Colors of the Meiji Era) Fountain Pen Ink\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"Meiji no Iro\" is a collection of beautiful color inks inspired by the popular shades that defined Japan's transformative Meiji Era. Each color carries its own historical background, allowing you to enjoy a piece of history with every stroke. These inks are perfectly compatible with fountain pens, glass pens, dip pens, and Kuretake's \"Karappo-pen\" (DIY empty pens).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Stories Behind the Colors\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEbi-cha (Maroon \/ Reddish-Brown)\u003cbr\u003eDuring the Meiji era, purple was reserved as a noble color for the aristocracy. Because pure purple was considered too formal for common use, \"Ebi-cha\"—a dark red with a hint of purple—became its popular alternative. This color exploded in popularity with the boom of female student culture in Meiji-era schools, where it was heavily used for women's traditional school hakama.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eArai-shu (Washed Vermilion)\u003cbr\u003eIn the late Meiji period, a movement to cherish traditional Japanese culture sparked the creation of new classic tones. One of these was \"Arai-shu,\" a bright, fresh vermilion that looks beautifully diluted or washed out to a softer, gentler shade.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eShimbashi-iro (Shimbashi Turquoise \/ Cyan)\u003cbr\u003eThe introduction of chemical dyes in the late Meiji period birthed entirely new hues. This bright, vivid blue-green was considered highly fashionable and Westernized (\"haikara\"). It became a massive trend, especially favored by the geishas of the Shimbashi district, and was also known by the alias \"Komparu-iro.\"\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKurogane-iro (Iron Dark Green)\u003cbr\u003eA trend that lasted from the mid-Meiji period into the Taisho era. It is characterized by a dark, muted blue-green with deep blue undertones. This color was heavily used for the aprons worn by shop managers (\"banto\") and clerks. In traditional naming, gold was kogane, silver was shirogane, copper was akagane, and iron was called kurogane.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKujaku-ryoku (Peacock Green)\u003cbr\u003eIntroduced from the West during the Meiji era, this is a vibrant blue-green that mimics the stunning feathers of a peacock. While peacocks had been adored in Japan since ancient times and became widely known to the public in the Edo period, it is considered a mystery that a color named after the peacock was never actually created until the Meiji era.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eShikon (Deep Violet)\u003cbr\u003eThe Meiji era is often referred to as the \"Age of Purple,\" as women's clothing heavily inherited the sophisticated Edo-period aesthetics of wisteria (fujiiro) and purple. \"Shikon\" (Deep Violet) emerged as a prominent trend-setting color through and after the Meiji period.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Specifications\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBrand: Kuretake (Ink-Café series)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProduct Weight: 111g\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Kuretake","offers":[{"title":"Ebi-cha (Maroon \/ Reddish-Brown)","offer_id":47263971508355,"sku":"OTHERS-KURET-K-INKM-ECF160-531","price":26.95,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Arai-shu (Washed Vermilion)","offer_id":47263971541123,"sku":"OTHERS-KURET-K-INKM-ECF160-532","price":26.95,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Shimbashi-iro (Shimbashi Turquoise \/ Cyan)","offer_id":47263971573891,"sku":"OTHERS-KURET-K-INKM-ECF160-533","price":26.95,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Kurogane-iro (Iron Dark Green)","offer_id":47263971606659,"sku":"OTHERS-KURET-K-INKM-ECF160-534","price":26.95,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Kujaku-ryoku (Peacock Green)","offer_id":47263971639427,"sku":"OTHERS-KURET-K-INKM-ECF160-535","price":26.95,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Shikon (Deep Violet)","offer_id":47263971672195,"sku":"OTHERS-KURET-K-INKM-ECF160-536","price":26.95,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0711\/5233\/7027\/files\/Kuretake_Ink-Cafe_Fountain_Pen_Ink_-_Meiji_no_Iro_-Ebi-cha.jpg?v=1781021472"},{"product_id":"kuretake-zig-cartoonist-mangaka-outline-pen-black-5-piece-assorted-set-ap-certified","title":"Kuretake ZIG Cartoonist MANGAKA Outline Pen - Black, 5-Piece Assorted Set (AP Certified)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA curated 5-piece set of black fineliner pens perfect for manga and illustration outlines, panel borders, and precision design linework.\u003c\/strong\u003e This recommended selection features essential line widths that are incredibly easy to use, even for complete beginners.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA standout feature of these pens is their smudge-proof formula; once the ink is dry, you can color over it with alcohol-based markers without worrying about bleeding or smearing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSet Contents: MANGAKA 005, 01, 03, 05, and MANGAKA FLEXIBLE FINE\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eColor: Black\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePerformance \u0026amp; Quality Features\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWaterproof \u0026amp; Alcohol-Resistant:\u003c\/strong\u003e \"ZIG Cartoonist MANGAKA\" pairs exceptionally well with both water-based and alcohol-based markers. The ink resists smudging when layered over, making it highly recommended for color illustrations and mixed-media artwork.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEraser-Resistant (Friction-Proof):\u003c\/strong\u003e The ink is highly resistant to friction and eraser rubs. 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