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.