About Nachiguro Ishi Kogeihinn (Nachiguro Stone Craft)
Nachiguro Ishi Kogeihin are craft objects produced using nachiguro stone quarried and processed in Kumano City, Mie Prefecture. Nachiguro stone from Kumano is a type of slate (phylite), characterized by its fine grain that produces a jet-black luster when polished. It has a history of being processed into go pieces, inkstones, and figurines since the Muromachi period, and most of Japan's go pieces have traditionally been made from nachiguro stone. Known throughout Japan through its connection with the pilgrimage to the Kumano Sanzan shrines, it continues to be passed down today as an important stone material production area supporting go culture.
Techniques & Materials
Craft terms are shown in the original Japanese — these are proper names with no standard English equivalents.
Techniques
Materials
Where to see & buy
Workshop names are in Japanese; links go to their official sites.
- 那智黒石工芸組合（産地にご確認ください）