Nara, the ancient capital of Japan, seems worlds away from Tokyo and even Kyoto, especially in the bleak winter January month I chose to visit. In truth, I had been there several times, but this trip was to be a calligraphy supply buying trip in advance of my return to Boston. There is no hustle and bustle in Nara, and unlike Kyoto which is organized like a grid, one must do research and ask questions to find the places and areas one seeks for supplies. Yet for the purchase of ink, there is but … [Read more...]
墨の響きを感じる（ 山田 修也氏インタビュー）
English version can be found here. 今回は日本の書家、山田修也先生に書についてのインタビューを掲載します。 山田 先生は、「全国書の仲間展佑友」の主宰者であり、日本で最も大きい公募展「毎日書道展」の審査会員でもあります。 書家として成功をおさめている 山田 先生に書について深く語っていただきました。 S.Y: 山田先生の書とはどういったものでしょうか？ 山田先生が良いと考える書とはどういったものですか？ M.Y: … [Read more...]
What to do with ink leftovers?
There are two major types of ink (墨, すみ, sumi) used for the Far Eastern calligraphy. One is a traditional solid ink, and the other one is a ready-made liquid. To read more about both types, visit our home page here. Many people ask me, "How do you make ink for calligraphy?" Well, it is quite simple. It is rubbed with water on the insktone (硯, すずり, suzuri). Controlling the density and colour is a skill gained throughout years of grinding ink. However, no one has ever asked me what to do … [Read more...]