Disclosed are a colorant which can realize an ink compositions possessing excellent
lightfastness, waterfastness, color development, and
rubbing / scratch resistance, and an ink composition containing the same. The ink composition comprises at least a colorant, a
polymer covering the colorant and having, in its molecular chain, sites possessing
ultraviolet absorbing activity and / or photostabilizing activity, water, and a water-soluble
organic solvent. The ink composition according to the present invention include two preferred embodiments. In the ink composition according to the first preferred embodiment, the
polymer functions as a dispersant and covers the colorant. In the ink composition according to the second preferred embodiment, the
polymer is in the form of fine particles covering the colorant. Further, the colorant comprises: a dye or a
pigment; and a polymer covering the colorant and having, in its molecular chain, sites possessing
ultraviolet absorbing activity and / or photostabilizing activity, the dye or the
pigment being in the form of fine particles.