The ink-jet recording apparatus has an-ink passage into which a
water-based ink or a preservation solution is filled. The ink passage
employs a rubber member formed from an ethylene propylene diene rubber in
which a sulfenamide-based vulcanization accelerator or a thiazole-based
vulcanization accelerator is employed. The water-based ink has a dynamic
surface tension at a lifetime of 100 ms of about 35 mN/m to about 45 mN/m
as measured by means of a maximum bubble pressure method at a measurement
temperature of 25.degree. C. Furthermore, the preservation solution has a
dynamic surface tension at a lifetime of 100 ms of about 30 mN/m to about
35 mN/m as measured by means of the maximum bubble pressure method at a
measurement temperature of 25.degree. C.