Manyosyu — Collection of Ten Thousand Leaves — is the oldest and reveredanthology of Japan’s poetic compilations. Over a period of four centuries, 4516 poems were written by every class of person ranging from Emperors to merchants and farmers. Manyo is an abbreviation of Manyosyu and its meaning indicates people of all ranks.

“Manyosyu” is often regarded in Japan as a true expression of the Japanese spirit. The themes of the poems relate to love, elegies, celebrations, family matters, traveling, the passage of the four seasons, nature, and so on. Flowers are especially relevant in Japanese culture and about 1500 of the poems in Manyosyu cover some 160 species of plants and 50 different flowers.

Sailor has chosen colors based on foods mentioned in Manyosyu for their new Manyo ink series. Budo wild grapes are thought to have been eaten in the Heian period. In addition to food, they were also used for cloth dyeing.

• Available in 20 colors:Haha,Yomogi,Sumire,Kikyou,Nekoyanagi,Akebi (discontinued 2024),Kuzu,Yamabuki,Sakura,Ume,Nadeshiko,Konagi (discontinued 2024),Kakitsubata (discontinued 2024),Ukikusa (discontinued 2024),Shirakashi,Chigaya (discontinued 2024),Ayame,Fuji,Koke,Hinoki, Sumomo, Nagi, Budo, Kuri, and Azuki
• Available inInk Sample – Sailor Manyo