【奈良墨: 錦光園】The Shokunin's Palette: Three Hues of Nara Sum

Nara sumi ink boasts unwavering popularity due to its finely uniform, deep, lustrous, and beautiful sumi ink color, as well as its smooth writing and drawing experience. It's no wonder that over 90% of solid sumi ink used in Japan is produced in Nara Prefecture. Its history dates back to 806, when Kukai brought back the sumi ink manufacturing method from Tang China along with brushes and began producing it at Kofukuji Nitaibo for use in transcribing sutras and writing scriptures.

"Kinkoen" in Nara continues to create high-quality solid sumi ink, adhering to traditional manufacturing methods, delivering each piece handmade. While preserving its 150-year history, "Kinkoen" is also pursuing new forms of sumi ink, attracting attention. 

This set, popular for Sumie painting and letter writing, adds delicate colors to their artistic expressions. Experience the profound world of sumi ink, cultivated through a long history, and the exquisite fusion of traditional craftsmanship with contemporary aesthetics.

Nara Sumi Ink made from pine soot: TENSHORYU
This pine soot sumi ink is a special piece made by Atsushi Nagano, the seventh-generation shokunin of KINKOEN in Nara, using pine soot produced by Masao Horiike, the only remaining pine soot shokunin in Japan. You can enjoy the deep black color and profound light shades unique to pure pine soot. It is finished as a beautiful Nara ink with a rare hexagonal shape and a dragon dancing across all sides.
Type: Pine soot sumi ink (松煙墨)
Size: approx. 23g

Nara Sumi Ink : Shien (Purple Smoke)
Suitable for both dark and light shades. Both dark and light shades exhibit a bright bluish black color. Features a design of auspicious clouds on both sides. This sumi ink is highly popular for its excellent cost performance.
Size：about 30g

Nara Sumi Ink made from rapeseed oil soot by KINKOEN : KOKI
Not only does this sumi ink offer a suitable black color when used undiluted, but it also exhibits a slightly antique hue when diluted. Its blurring, shading, and base line expression are exceptionally well-balanced overall. The unique design features chrysanthemum patterns covering all four sides. This is the most popular product at KINKOEN.
Type: Rapeseed oil soot ink (菜種油煙墨)
Size: approx. 30g