A water-based ink includes a dye represented by the general formula (1), water, DPP, and a surfactant represented by the general formula (2). The dye, DPP, and the surfactant are blended so as to satisfy the conditions (A) to (C). (A) an amount of the dye relative to a total amount of the ink (x) is about 0.1 wt % to 1.0 wt % (B) an amount of DPP relative to a total amount of the ink (y) is about 0.5 wt % to 3 wt % (C) in y≧25x/9+2/9 −175x+18y+225z−104≦0 and −100x+18y+225z−66.5≧0 in y≦25x/9+2/9 −275x+54y+225z−112≦0 and −200x+54y+225z−74.5≧0 z: an amount of the surfactant relative to a total amount of the ink (wt %)