An ink chamber is formed with a vent port allowing atmospheric air to enter therein
and an ink outlet from which ink is taken out. An optical member has an ink contact
face capable of contacting with ink contained in the ink chamber. The ink contact
face includes a detection face at which a remaining amount of ink in the ink chamber
is optically detected in accordance with an amount of air entered into the ink
chamber via the vent port. A first ink absorbing member is disposed in the vicinity
of the ink contact face, and capable of absorbing the ink in the ink chamber.