Black ink compositions are provided. First embodiment contains a water-soluble long-wavelength dye L and a water-soluble short-wavelength dye S, in which the water-soluble short-wavelength dye S has 3 or more azo groups per molecule and a naphthalene skeleton. Second embodiment contains a water-soluble short-wavelength dye S whose absorption spectrum in aqueous solvent has a maximum between 440 nm and 540 nm and a half-band width of 90 to 200 nm and a water-soluble long-wavelength dye L whose absorption spectrum in aqueous solvent has a maximum between 550 nm and 700 nm and a half-band width of 100 nm or more. Third embodiment contains water, a water-miscible organic solvent, and a coloring material, in which C. I. Direct Red 84 is contained as a water-soluble short-wavelength dye S.