Early in September TWSBI released an ECO in Irish Green, I had to have it. Plus, all of my current pens are blue, so it was a good excuse to buy another color. The hunt for the perfect color match began. Enter Yoseka Origin #1 by Ink Institute. I know this ink has been out for a few years now, I believe being released around 2021. I'm not sure how I came across it on their site. I think I was searching Ink Institute and found it.
The Process
Honestly, I'm still working out my process. I have a collection of small notebooks I bought back in June to figure out which paper I might like. That tester pack consisted of Apica, Tomoe, Rhodia, Clarefontaine, Mneymosyne and Travelers, which is believe is by Midori. I've been using this when new inks arrive and I can get them inked in a pen. I do a few different tests to see line variation and test how long the ink takes to dry on various paper.
I've also switched to the Color-O-Dex card where I use a Pilot iro-utsushi on the corners and bottom of the card and also for the smaller writing and a Teranishi glass dip pen for the ink name and sometimes a sketch - albeit a bad one, LOL. I also use the glass dip pen to put a second coat if you will on one side of the lower half of the swatch card. I also do a chromatography test which I stick on the back of the card. I like to see the dye's in the ink separate to see what colors are making up the final color.
For a longer writing sample, I'm using Iroful paper which is what I am currently using for my journal. This will change depending on what I am using as my main journal. Although that also gives me a reason to pick up another notebook. I used the book What Lies We Keep by: Janet Roberts for my writing sample. My wife and I went to her book reading in the beginning of the summer. I’m fascinated with the book since it’s set in my hometown.
The Bottle
I have to mention the bottle as I always notice things like that first. The ink comes in a 30ml frosted bottle that feels really nice to hold. The cap is a metal screw on cap. The box is a white textured box that is Ink Institute.
The Color
Yoseka Origin #1 is a beautiful dark foresty green. Larger swabs show some red sheen around the edges. It's a beautiful shader on the Iroful, it really caught my eye on this paper. I did not see any feathering on any of the paper that I used and I did not see any bleed through. Dry times are ranging from 20-30 seconds, depending on the paper. I found this ink to flow very well, wet even, especially when paired in the Irish Green TWSBI Eco with a broad nib. What a lovely combo indeed!
I've been using this combo for about a month now and it's been fun to use. I look forward to Irish Green Eco day with Yoseka Origin #1 ink. It's also part of my fall palette and I love looking at the green pages written next to the orange pages in my journal.