
How often do you sit down, dip your pen in some ink and write a letter or put your thoughts down on paper? The art of handwriting might be lost in the West, but surprisingly, students in Japan will often practice cursive writing even though they aren’t taught it in class. And in Japan, there are still plenty of chances for people to write things out from resumes and New Years cards to love letters and condolences, so there is always an opportunity to show off your epic penmanship.
And if you feel your written notes are lacking a certain artistic flair, the stationery store KINGDOM NOTE has just the thing for you: Colors! It’s not just normal boring colors that they are offering either, but original inks in colors inspired by crustaceans.
The Japanese fountain pen company Sailor is collaborating with KINGDOM NOTE to bring you amazing inks in colors inspired by our natural world. This is actually the fourth time the two have put out a series of inks, with previous inspirations coming from insects, wild birds, and mushrooms.
▼ KINGDOM NOTE x Sailor’s first three original ink sets
This time around, they are borrowing from the vast ocean to create colors fit for a king crab! Actually, the king crab is not one of the colors on offer this time, but you will be able to dip your pen in zarigani (Japanese crayfish) blue, coconut crab brown, giant spider crab red, Japanese tiger prawn brown and fiddler crab light green. Those are five crustacean colors you can write home to your mom about!
▼ From top to bottom: Zarigani blue, coconut crab brown, giant spider crab red, tiger prawn brown, and fiddler crab light green
Each of the ink color has a special individual hue that was created from pictures of the animal and the animal itself. Although there probably isn’t any actual crab in the ink, the colors perfectly match the original crustaceans, which are proudly displayed on the labels.
Each bottle of ink will be 2,160 yen (US $17.42) and you can get them from the KINGDOM NOTE website starting September 23. Coincidentally, that day is also National Fountain Pen day in Japan, so grab your favorite fountain pen and some quality white paper and get ready to create an ocean of new missives with this special ink inspired by crustaceans.
Source: Net Lab
Top Image: Syuppin Press Release
Inset Images: Nikkei Trendy Net, Syuppin Press Release



Feel like Neo Queen Serenity herself with this beautiful Sailor Moon fountain pen
Beautiful Japanese-Made Fountain Pens Make me Want to Learn to Write All Over Again
Limited edition Lipton’s iced tea-scented pens to go on sale
Starbucks Japan releases special pen that you can also use to buy coffee
A real-world Pokémon Poké Ball hotel is opening in Japan at a still-secret location [Video]
Japan’s revolving sushi restaurant king Sushiro coming to U.S. this fall with high prices, no tipping
The mystery of Port Store, the Japanese convenience store that looks like a Lawson rip-off
Tamagotchi evolves into a ring for its 30th anniversary, preorders now open
Elderly couple donates 400 million yen to erect Myaku-Myaku statue in Osaka
Japan Railways announces unlimited-ride train pass for fall travel
Lawson convenience store opens its first mobile, trailer-style location in Japan
Studio Ghibli unveils new anime calendars and diary planners for 2027
Family Mart releases Famima convenience store products nationwide, but which ones are worth buying?
One Piece Day 2026 brings new art, music, and new cast announcements
Japan’s final Penguin Suica train cards have already shipped, and when they’re gone, they’re gone
Solo travel in Japan: Hidden beer garden in Tokyo is a haven for single visitors
Japan approves foreign resident visa renewal fee increases of up to 967 percent, starts soon
Farewell Final Ceremony announced for Tokyo’s life-size Gundam statue, will stream live
Hobonichi unveils new 2027 planners, diaries and stationery with One Piece, Suica Penguin, Hello Kitty and a must-buy Mini Techo
Family Mart releases new Human Made Cup Noodle in Japan, with freebies for Nigo fans
Hikaru Utada sings new song in Shinkansen commercial for Japan’s Supreme Class cabins
Mister Donut releases new doughnuts that look and taste like Japanese sweet potatoes
12-year-old British girl who went missing in Tokyo found safe after visiting anime sites around Yokohama
7-year-old boy left behind on Mt. Fuji by his own dad
Sushi Bus: Japan’s first conveyor-belt bus lets you eat sushi while sightseeing around Tokyo
Pokémon Center Online designates first Pokémon items that will require Japanese ID card to buy
Japanese toilet aims to attract foreign tourists but not everybody is happy about it
New Japanese vending machine at Shinkansen station sells cups of ice on platform
Study finds hundreds of people in Indonesia legally named after Naruto, Inuyasha, other anime stars
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】