Video on the manufacture of Japanese calligraphy ink (Sumi)

[AceNinja]

This is quite an interesting watch!

[OCArt]

Yes, a very interesting film indeed! Thanks for sharing.

[dipper]

Thanks for the video link.

 

If anyone would like to try some Sumi stick ink .... ( for brush or dip pen only - NOT for fountain pens! ) ....

 

In my experience:

• Avoid the very cheapest sticks - some can be hard, gritty, and rather horrid to use
• But just a moderate price step up above cheapo-rubbish gives a good quality product. So no need to pay thousands, as might by inferred from the video! The price effect in ink sticks is similar to that in fountain pen prices - some rubbish at the bottom end, but also some very good products at affordable prices, and if you really want a Montblanc then that's OK also!
• But I don't have much experience ... because ink sticks last for ages, and never go bad as long as you keep them dry. So I have used up completely only one black ink stick, and I currently have two sticks in occasional use. They will probably last me for many more years!

 

For browsing through the vast range of sumi stick inks available I use the INKSTON site linked below. I have not yet bought anything from them, because ink sticks last such a long time. China based, they do carry Japanese ink sticks also (the second link below).

 

Inkston Oriental Arts and Materials - Inkston

 

Se ha realizado busqueda japanese - Inkston

 

 

[Maurizio]

That is a great video. Thank you for sharing.  

It’s very enjoyable to see traditional craftsmanship still being practiced.

 

 Although, of course, only people with money they can burn would pay thousands of dollars for an ink stick. 

[peroride]

Excellence! I too was about to post in like mind at this stunning craft; the YouTube algorithm is working.

 

Now looking for fountain pen friendly substitutes!

 

First thing comes to mind is Pilot Iroshizuku Take Sumi in namesake. i think it will be my next Iroshizuku to switch out from Hotei-son

 

 

[inkstainedruth]

Take-sumi is probably an excellent choice.  It's not the blackest black out there, but has a quality that many other inks (of any color) don't seem to have.

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[amper]

On 2/24/2023 at 1:36 PM, Maurizio said:

Although, of course, only people with money they can burn would pay thousands of dollars for an ink stick. 

 

It's not easy to make direct comparisons between Japanese culture and Western culture, or the Japanese economy and Western economies. Very few people would actually pay millions of yen for a single ink stick, and those who would would almost certainly be professional artists and calligraphic experts using them to produce pieces for sale or very wealthy amateurs who make a serious study of calligraphy or sumi-e, which is more common a practice in Japan than it is in the West, since historically calligraphy was considered one of the most important arts to learn and a mark of sophistication.

[CS388]

Hello all

 

I came across this facebook video of the above.

Astonishing craftsmanship and dedication.

Thought you may be interested.

 

It's around 12 minutes long. 

 

Enjoy

 

https://www.facebook.com/businessinsider/videos/137193295925024

[arcfide]

Duplicate of the following thread, I think:

 

[CS388]

2 hours ago, arcfide said:

Duplicate of the following thread, I think:

 

 

Ah. Thank you. Hadn't seen that.

 

Mods: please delete this thread. Thank you, CS388