About Nara Sumi (Nara Ink Stick)
Nara Sumi are ink sticks for calligraphy produced mainly in Nara City and Yamatokoriyama City, Nara Prefecture. Since the ink-making technique was introduced from China in the Nara period, it developed alongside the manuscript culture of temples such as Kofukuji and Todaiji, with Nara now accounting for approximately 90% of domestic ink production. Made by the traditional method of adding glue (nikawa) to soot obtained by burning pine or oil and kneading it solid, pine-smoke ink and oil-smoke ink each have distinct expressive properties. The highest quality pieces develop an even deeper tone through aging for decades.
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.
- 古梅園（奈良） hands-on experience