Experience Blog: Custom Ink-Making at Inkstand by Kakimori

Hello, this is the staff of The Gate Hotel Ryogoku.

The Kuramae area is a place where you can feel the unique downtown craftsmanship. At Kakimori, which continues to bring the joy of writing to visitors, you can participate in a custom ink-making workshop (in the workroom) at the Inkstand by Kakimori on the second floor of the store, where you can make your own original ink.

Go to Inkstand by Kakimori on the 2nd floor

Access to the store

It is a 17-minute walk from The Gate Hotel Ryogoku. If you come by train, it is a 15-minute walk from Kuramae Station (Exit A5), which is next to Ryogoku Station on the Toei Oedo Line.

Click here for more information about Kakimori

Experience making custom-made ink

In this issue, we would like to share with you the actual process of making order-made ink, along with some photos.

1. Choose a color

First of all, the basic ink colors are placed in front of you. 17 colors are available, from which you can choose 2 or 3 of your favorite colors. In addition to the basic colors, there is a diluting solution, which dilutes the colors.

You can choose your favorite color from among these.

You can try multiple colors within the time frame, so feel free to try a couple.

2. Mix colors

After choosing a color, mix the color by putting a drop of ink into a small beaker. As you do this, note which color and how many drops you put in. When you finally decide on this color! This is to inform the staff of the proportions when you finally decide on a color.

The sheet underneath the bottle even marks the position where the bottle is to be placed, making it look like a full-scale experiment.

3. Test the mixture

Mix the mixture with a glass rod and make a test drawing on white paper. You can write on the glass stick as is, or there is also a dip pen available for trial use (a pen with the tip soaked in ink for as long as you want to use it), so you can actually dip the pen in the ink and test the writing. After writing, wash the glass rod and dip the pen in water and wipe them off each time.

The same writing utensil can be used in a variety of ways.

4. Find your custom color

You can try out as many colors as you like within the time limit, so repeat until you are satisfied with the results. This is a fun process because even a single drop of ink can make a difference. In addition, the booklet prepared in advance includes color samples and explanations so that even first-timers can easily visualize the process.

Since there are about 45 minutes, you can make several different samples.

There are also color samples, so you can refer to the one closest to your image.

5. Have the staff mix the colors for you

Once you have decided on a color, tell the staff which ink and how many drops you want, and they will mix it for you. They will bottle the ordered ink and write a recipe card.

Here is the finished original ink.

You will feel attached to the ink that is customized to your preferences, and you will want to write many different things with it.

You can also order by mail!

By the way, this ordermade ink can also be made by mailing a request to the store.

You can send a piece of the color you want, such as a photo or a clipping from a magazine, in an envelope, and the staff will mix colors based on it, drop by drop, to create a special color ink just for you and send it to you.

Once the recipe for your color is made, either in the store or by mail, it is kept for three years, and you can place a repeat order.

We invite you to experience the time spent immersed in your own unique world of color.

Order Ink Workroom Overview

Dates and times: Tuesdays through Sundays (the number of times varies by day)

Experience time: 105 minutes (45 minutes for explanation and color mixing + 60 minutes for staff to make the ink)

*Staff production time may vary depending on the number of pieces produced and the number of people in the workshop. You may go out during the production, pick up your order by closing time, or pick up or have it delivered at a later date.

Conditions for participation: Advance reservations required, up to 5 people per slot

Fee: 4,000 (tax included) / bottle, approx. 35ml capacity

Reservation method: Please make reservations for available dates and times through the reservation system on the official website.

　*You may be able to participate even on the day of the workshop if there is space available. Please inquire by phone.

　For more information, please visit the official website.

If you are planning to stay at The Gate Hotel, we can assist you with reservations.