【奈良墨: 錦光園】 Essence of Soot, Three Varieties Set

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 features solid sumi ink crafted from three different soot varieties: rapeseed oil soot, known for its smooth flow; sesame oil soot, prized for its deep, rich black; and pine soot, valued for its subtle, nuanced tones.

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

Nara Sumi Ink made from sesame oil soot by KINKOEN : BOTANJISHI
The back depicts a scene where the king of beasts cures himself of the parasitic worms within the lion's body, a pest that threatens its life, with the night mist dripping on peonies, illustrating that it is a haven for the lion. It features moderate blurring, glossy black, and delicate light colors.
Product Details: Botan Jishi
Type: Sesame oil soot sumi ink (胡麻油煙墨)
Sized: approx. 15g

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