Shanghai Stationary Ink - Mudan - 50ml

This fountain pen ink takes its name from the peony, a flower native to China where it carries centuries of cultural meaning tied to romance, prosperity, and celebration. The 50ml bottle delivers enough ink for months of regular writing, whether you use it for daily notes, letters, or longer journal entries.

The formulation works with standard fountain pens and feeds smoothly through fine, medium, and broad nibs. You can expect consistent flow without skipping or feathering on decent paper, though performance will vary slightly depending on your pen and paper combination. The color draws inspiration from the flower itself, offering a shade that stands apart from basic black or blue without venturing into novelty territory.

Shanghai Stationary bottles their inks in straightforward glass containers with secure caps to prevent leaks and evaporation. The opening accommodates most pen sizes for easy filling, including pens with shorter nibs that struggle with shallow ink wells. Once you've dipped in a few times, you may need to tilt the bottle or decant the remaining ink as levels drop.

The brand builds its palette around botanical references rooted in Chinese tradition, so each color name connects to a plant or flower with its own story. Mudan fits into that line as a shade tied to one of the most recognized flowers in Chinese culture, used both medicinally and symbolically for generations. This ink lets you write with something that nods to that heritage without requiring any special handling or maintenance.