The present invention provides a water-based black ink for ink-jet recording, containing a coloring agent and water. The coloring agent contains a yellow dye, a magenta dye, and a cyan dye. The yellow dye contains a dye (Y) represented by the following general formula (1). The magenta dye contains a dye (M) represented by the following general formula (2). The cyan dye contains a phthalocyanine dye (C). The dye (Y), the dye (M), and the phthalocyanine dye (C) are blended so as to satisfy the following conditions (a) and (b). (a) Y:M (weight ratio)=about 2:3 to about 3:2 (b) (Y+M):C (weight ratio)=about 2:1 to about 2:3