The Kuramae area is lined with small local factories. In this town where the spirit of craftsmanship lives on, Kakimori, a shop that opened in 2010, delivers notebooks, ink, pens, letter paper, and other tools that help people put their thoughts into writing.

In addition to selling carefully selected notebooks and pens sourced from around the world, we also offer original Kakimori products and an order service that allows customers to create products to their liking.

When you step inside the glass-walled store, you will hear the sound of paper being cut, reminiscent of a small factory. If you go up the stairs at the back of the store, you will find yourself in a laboratory-like space.

This is "Inkstand by Kakimori," a monochrome world designed to allow people to encounter color. It's a place where you can create "custom ink" in the color of your choice. We spoke to store manager Arisa Yamazaki about what inspired her to start making custom ink and her thoughts on the business.

"Custom Ink" born from customer feedback

Kakimori began making custom ink in 2014. It all started with customer feedback.

"We started receiving requests like, 'Do you have a color between these two?' or 'The ink I've been using for many years has been discontinued, but do you have the same color?'"

Because Kakimori had always focused on the act of "writing," it was meaningful to create a space where customers could create the colors they wanted to express themselves, rather than just using fixed colors... Yamazaki told us that this was the founder's vision at the starting point of the initiative.

The passion for these efforts gradually spread from person to person, and more and more customers began visiting "Inkstand by Kakimori" in search of "their own unique color."

The appeal of fade-resistant Kakimori ink

The custom ink used is an original ink called "Kakimori Ink." Unlike the ink used in ordinary writing instruments, it is a type that is resistant to water and oil, and is used in paints and cosmetics.

In addition, to create Kakimori Ink, they worked with a partner company to develop the pigments that are the raw materials for the ink. By doing so, they were able to create an ink that is easy to use as a writing instrument and that does not fade over time.

The counter at "Inkstand by Kakimori" is lined with 14 different types of ink that incorporate these techniques and thoughts.

The time when "my own color" is born

When making custom ink, we combine two to three types of Kakimori ink.

"Just one drop can completely change the finished color. That's why I'm always amazed at how seriously customers approach the project, and how they come up with ideas and perceive colors," says Yamazaki.

Some people use the birthday of their recipient as a hint for ink composition, while others create colors inspired by the recipient. Add or dilute colors to suit your preferences or the image you want to create. "Inkstand by Kakimori" offers a wide world of possibilities for exploring "your own unique colors."

"We don't have many opportunities to come into contact with ink in our daily lives, so I hope that visitors will take the time to really get to grips with the colors in this space with its contrasting black and white gradations."

Spreading the joy of writing from Kuramae to the world

Finally, each participant makes test strokes and makes fine adjustments to achieve the color they envision.

"When I see someone happy after mixing the ink and saying, 'Yes, that's it! This is the color!', I feel so happy."

Watching her gently recount stories of her experiences with her customers makes me feel like I'm witnessing the moment when the joy of writing unfolds.

Kakimori will now be looking overseas. From a manufacturing town to the world. With Kakimori ink that never fades, we will continue our activities to share the joy and richness of writing with as many people as possible.

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Inkstand by Kakimori 
電話：050-3529-6390 
住所：東京都台東区三筋1-6-2 
アクセス：都営地下鉄蔵前駅より徒歩6分、JR浅草橋駅より徒歩10分 
HP：https://kakimori.com 
SNS：https://www.instagram.com/kakimori_tokyoshop/ 
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