Collection: 墨 Sumi Inkstick collection
Solid sumi Ink is made from three primary ingredients: soot, glue (nikawa), and fragrances. The process involves combining soot with glue, adding fragrances, and then kneading the mixture before placing it into wooden molds to dry.
松煙煤職人 Masao Horiike
奈良墨 墨匠 Atsushi Nagano
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Pine Soot Ink (shoen boku)
To know moreMade from the soot generated by burning pine branches or bark. Dark ink exhibits a subdued matte color, while light ink features a transparent and luminous shade providing a fine-grained three-dimensional effect. It is said that as it ages, the color shifts from black tones to blue tones.
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Oil Soot Ink (yuen boku)
To know moreCreated from the soot produced by burning vegetable oils such as rapeseed oil. Dark ink presents a glossy and deep black color with a sense of depth. The color may vary depending on the type of vegetable oil used. Light ink, on the other hand, has a faintly brown hue, providing a fine-grained three-dimensional effect.
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Colorful sumi inks
To know moreColorful sumi inks have emerged and gained popularity. The trailblazer behind this trend is Mr. Masao Horiike, the sole artisan in Japan still producing pine soot, the key ingredient of sumi ink. He has expanded his product line as the SAIEMBOKU series, introducing various colors, and now the color variations exceed 40.
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Other Types
Made from burning materials such as mineral oil and carbon black. This type of ink is relatively economical and tends to darken quickly, offering a cost-effective option.
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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...
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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....
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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...
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Season of Sumi making is over this year. Sumi i...
The production of sumi ink takes place during winter. This is because one of the raw materials for sumi, Nikawa glue, may not solidify or may even rot when it...
Season of Sumi making is over this year. Sumi i...
The production of sumi ink takes place during winter. This is because one of the raw materials for sumi, Nikawa glue, may not solidify or may even rot when it...