墨 Sumi made from pine-soot

In Japan, sumi ink made from the soot produced by burning pine wood is called Shoen Boku (written as 松煙墨). Thick sumi ink (濃墨) exhibits a subdued matte color, while thinned sumi ink (淡墨) 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.

One important note is that thinned sumi ink (淡墨) is not simply diluted sumi ink with a light shade; it refers to sumi ink that has been intensely ground to achieve a deep black color and then diluted with water. In sumi-e painting, the transparency of the artwork is crucial, and the preparation of sumi ink plays a significant role in altering the impression of the sumi-e painting.

The sole shokunin (craftsman) currently producing pine soot in Japan is Mr. Masao Horiike of Kishu Shoen.

rimpamura curated several precious sumi inks made from pine-soot.

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松煙墨 Sumi ink made by pine soot

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