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Kishu Sumi Recognized with Ichibanboshi Award: Honoring the Master Craftsmanship of Masao Horiike

Kishu Sumi Recognized with Ichibanboshi Award: ...

On February 10, 2026, the Kishu Sumi (pine soot sumi ink from Kishu) produced by Mr. Horiike was selected as one of the 20 inaugural certified products for the "Wakayama...

Kishu Sumi Recognized with Ichibanboshi Award: ...

On February 10, 2026, the Kishu Sumi (pine soot sumi ink from Kishu) produced by Mr. Horiike was selected as one of the 20 inaugural certified products for the "Wakayama...

Special Live Session: The Secrets of Soot

Special Live Session: The Secrets of Soot

On January 30th at 13:00, we will connect online directly with Mr. Horiike of Kishu Shoen, Japan's legendary ink maker. He will take us virtually into the workshop where the...

Special Live Session: The Secrets of Soot

On January 30th at 13:00, we will connect online directly with Mr. Horiike of Kishu Shoen, Japan's legendary ink maker. He will take us virtually into the workshop where the...

Special Invitation for International Artists: pop-up rimpamura

Special Invitation for International Artists: p...

Welcome to Tokyo for "Art Beyond Boundaries 2026. Inspired by the historical "Koetsu-mura"—a legendary village where artisans gathered to create new styles in 17th-century Kyoto—rimpamura aims to be a modern...

Special Invitation for International Artists: p...

Welcome to Tokyo for "Art Beyond Boundaries 2026. Inspired by the historical "Koetsu-mura"—a legendary village where artisans gathered to create new styles in 17th-century Kyoto—rimpamura aims to be a modern...

Maki Fude (cored brushes) vs Suihitsu (non-cored brushes

Maki Fude (cored brushes) vs Suihitsu (non-core...

A Makifude has Japanese paper wrapped around its core; therefore, only about one-third of the bristles on a Makifude brush are exposed for use, while the bristles of a Suihitsu...

Maki Fude (cored brushes) vs Suihitsu (non-core...

A Makifude has Japanese paper wrapped around its core; therefore, only about one-third of the bristles on a Makifude brush are exposed for use, while the bristles of a Suihitsu...

Mr. Horiike_rimpamura

Horiike san on the NHK program called 'CYCLE AR...

In the NHK program called 'CYCLE AROUND JAPAN: Kii Mountains - Climbing Uphill with a Smile,' a cyclist visited Horiike-san. The film shows how pine soot sumi ink is made....

Horiike san on the NHK program called 'CYCLE AR...

In the NHK program called 'CYCLE AROUND JAPAN: Kii Mountains - Climbing Uphill with a Smile,' a cyclist visited Horiike-san. The film shows how pine soot sumi ink is made....

Two different ways of making brushes

Two different ways of making brushes

Fude making has been practiced throughout Japan for centuries, and while the manufacturing methods can vary somewhat depending on the region and shokunin, they can be broadly categorized into two...

Two different ways of making brushes

Fude making has been practiced throughout Japan for centuries, and while the manufacturing methods can vary somewhat depending on the region and shokunin, they can be broadly categorized into two...