Nachiguro Black Slate Stone: Joint Inkstone size 5

Typical Japanese inkstone material production areas are, Akama Stone in Ube City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Ogatsu Stone in Ishinomaki City, Miyagi Prefecture, Gensho Stone (clay slate) in Amehata, Hayakawa Town, Yamanashi Prefecture, and Nachiguro Black Slate Stone in Kumano City, Mie Prefecture.

This 'Nachiguro Black Slate Stone Joint Inkstone Size 5' is a lidded inkstone made from a single block that retains the natural patterns and expressions of Nachiguro Black Slate Stone. The 'plain' used for rubbing the inkstick, the 'decline' used to drop the rubbed ink into the 'pool' or to remove excess ink from the brush, reserving the rubbed ink, and the 'pool', are all created with scrupulous care by specialist craftsmen. When the craftsman makes an inkstone, the most difficult place to create is the smooth curved surface of the 'decline', between the 'pool', where the ink is held, and the 'plain', but it is finished very smoothly and beautifully.

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What is 'Inkstone'? …A writing tool made from stones, roof tiles, etc. that is used to rub inksticks on with water to make ink. In China, the inkstone, together with the inkbrush, inkstick and Xuan paper are the four writing implements traditionally known as the 'Four Treasures of the Study'. It is an important writing tool that is indispensable for calligraphy, being used both to make the ink and for use with the inkbrush.
'Calm the heart, sit before the paper, dispel thoughts, and rub the inkstick.' 'Calligraphy' is 'the way of handwriting', an historical Japanese culture alongside the tea ceremony and flower arrangement.