PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide ink which contains a self-dispersing colorant, forms images having enhanced scratch resistance and marker resistance, realizes the achievement of good image grades and color development, achieves image stability, and can prevent inks having different hues from blotting between the images of the inks. SOLUTION: The water-based ink comprising a coloring material and water is characterized in that the coloring material is a dispersible colorant comprising a colorant and chargeable resin pseudo fine particles smaller in size than the colorant, wherein the chargeable resin pseudo fine particles are fixed to the colorant, and the ink further contains at least one kind of salt selected from the group consisting of (M1) 2 SO 4 , CH 3 COO(M1), Ph-COO(M1), (M1)NO 3 , (M1)Cl, (M1)Br, (M1)I, (M1) 2 SO 3 , and (M1)CO 3 , (M1 represents an alkali metal, ammonia, or an organic ammonium; Ph represents a phenyl group). COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI