Disclosed is a method and an apparatus for controlling light emission of an ink cartridge. The method includes: an ink cartridge control unit (304), configured to receive a light emitting control instruction from an imaging device main body and identifying the instruction; the ink cartridge control unit (304), configured to control light emission of a light emitting unit (303) of the ink cartridge (10) according to the identified light emitting control instruction and preset control information corresponding to the light emitting control instruction so that the light emitting unit (303) does not emit light at an adjacent position light detection stage but emits light at an facing position light detection stage.