Nara Sumi is Art of Eastern culture

Nara Sumi, or ink made in Nara, is made through a traditional method that goes back over a thousands years, that has been hardened into a stick so that it is easier to carry around. At its core, its ingredients are simply soot and gelatin, with spices added to give it a nice aroma. However, it is only through these months-long, traditional techniques that we can produce sticks of Nara Sumi that people have used to write with for more than a thousand years.

The form of the ink itself is just as beautiful as it is on paper. While it is still raw, we using wooden molds to give the ink subtle, detailed patterns deeply connected with Japanese culture and the history of Nara.
It is said that Nara Sumi can be used for up to 1,000 years. From shaping it in the first moment when it is raw to writing with it 1,000 years later, the power of expression within Nara Sumi is limitless. Whether for writing or decoration, we hope you feel the raw, true beauty of Nara Sumi.

About Kinkoen

  • It was approximately 150 years ago when our ancestors opened their very own workshop, Kinkoen.

  • Kinkoen continues the tradition of making Nara Sumi ink with soot, gelatin, and perfume.

  • Our workshop is located in historic Naramachi, in the middle of Nara City.

Sumi Ink Stick Production Process

1. Soot Removal

Vegetable or sesame oil is burned in an earthenware pot called a “kawarage”, and soot forms on the lid above it. We remove the soot from this lid to use for our ink.

2. Gelatin Solution, Ingredient Stirring

We mix the water and gelatin. And we melt those together in boiling water. We stir this for four hours to make the gelatin solution. Then we add the soot.

3. Wooden Patterns and Molds

We use molds made from the wood of a pear tree to add certain patterns and shapes to the raw ink.

4. Ash Drying

First, we wrap it in newspapers, bury it in wood ash with a small amount of water, and the rebury it in gradually drier wood ash. It takes about 2-3 weeks to dry in the ash.

5. Natural Drying

When 60~70% of the water is removed, we move on from using wood ash to letting the ink dry naturally. It takes about six months to dry.

6. Polishing
We wash it with water to remove any ash or other material from the surface.
Then, after painting on the glaze, we quickly scorch it with charcoal, and then polish it with a clam shell.

7. Color

After the polished ink has been washed, we remove the water by placing it in criss-crossed stacks for three days to a week and let it air dry.

Our Sumi Ink Stick