墨 Kishu Sumi

With its deep mountains and ancient pine trees, Kishu was an ideal location for pine soot production. For generations, this region has been a key supplier of pine soot to Nara, where the majority of sumi ink sticks are manufactured.

Kishu sumi also boasts a historical significance, as it received the endorsement of Tokugawa Yoshimune, a shogun from the Kii Tokugawa clan, becoming the official sumi ink used by the shogunate.

Mr. Horiike still continues to produce pine soot using the traditional "shoji-burning method. Currently, Mr. Horiike is the only one who continues to produce pine-soot in Japan.