About solid sumi Ink and liquid sumi ink

The time spent grinding ink is not just a physical act; it is also a crucial time for aligning one's thoughts. However, in the mid-Meiji period, inksticks were developed to encourage a more casual engagement with calligraphy. Since then, responding to people's needs, inksticks continue to be popular. While it is meaningful in terms of time efficiency, especially in the busy modern era, and we do not deny its merits in that aspect, solid sumi ink provides various advantages besides being gentle on tools like brushes and inkstones (meaning less damage to your brushes or inkstones). At rimpamura, we recommend solid sumi ink.

Expressiveness: Solid sumi ink is ground on an inkstone, and this process makes a significant difference. The characteristics of the 'hoho' (ripples) play a role similar to that of the teeth when grinding the sumi ink. As a result, the created ink may have particles ranging from fine to coarse. The depth and three-dimensionality in monochromatic sumi-e paintings are achieved through this broad spectrum of particles.

Color: From an expressive standpoint, a decisive difference between liquid sumi ink and solid sumi ink lies in the fact that commercially available liquid sumi ink does not become darker than its inherent color. A more intense and powerful dark sumi ink can only be achieved with solid sumi ink. Solid sumi ink excels, particularly in portraying the strength and intensity of features like animal eyes. The strength of expression is where solid sumi ink shines.