An adsorbent for ink jet use arranged in a position to be in contact with ink, having the higher capability of adsorption with respect to hydrophobic substance contained in ink than colorant therein. Then, an ink retaining container comprises an ink retaining portion for retaining ink to be supplied to an ink jet head, an ink supply opening which becomes the ink supply portion from the ink retaining portion to the head, an atmospheric communication opening for communicating the ink retaining portion with the air outside. This ink retaining container is provided with the above-mentioned adsorption member arranged in a position to be in contact with ink in it. With the adsorbent and the ink retaining container thus arranged, it is made possible to perform ink jet recording with excellent print characteristics by effectively removing the hydrophobic substance eluted form the ink absorbent in the ink retaining container.