Washi Postcard

cm: W10 x H14.8

inches: W4 x H6

Sumi is a type of ink that has been used for Japanese calligraphy for centuries. It is made from a blend of pine soot, gelatin, and fragrant aromas, which are expertly mixed by skilled artisans. The mixture is then kneaded until it forms a smooth and consistent paste, shaped into wooden molds, and aged for months or even years, allowing the sumi to develop its unique character and depth of color.

To produce ink from sumi, you must rub it against a suzuri stone with a small amount of water. The concentration of the ink can be adjusted based on the length of time you rub the sumi against the stone, allowing for a wide range of shades and tones to be created. When using sumi ink on washi paper, the gelatin in the ink seeps into the fibers of the paper, resulting in blotting and blurring that create a unique three-dimensional effect that cannot be replicated with bottled ink.

The Sumi Kit is a collaborative effort of various craftsmen.

The sumi ink is made in collaboration with Kinkoen, a 150-year-old family-run business in Nara. As the first capital of Japan and home to notable temples and shrines, Nara has been known for sumi since the 8th century. With the decline of sumi use, Kinkoen is one of the few remaining companies that still produce sumi in Japan.

The brushes and suzuri stone are produced by Isshindo, also a family business in Nara with a history of over 100 years. Each brush is carefully made by hand by their craftspeople in Toyohashi City, Aichi Prefecture, which is known for producing high-quality brushes that are favored by calligraphers. While the suzuri stones are handcrafted in the town of Kajikazawa in Yamanashi Prefecture, which is in the vicinity of Amehata River, one of the best sources of fine-grained and impermeable slate used to make the finest suzuri stone.

The washi paper is made by Awagami Factory, an 8-generation family-owned washi papermaker in Tokushima. The Fujimori family handcrafted washi from natural fibers such as Kozo, Bamboo, Mitsumata, Gampi, and Hemp for various arts and crafts.

The fragrance infused in the sumi is provided by our incense kit collaborator, the Fukunaga family, a business carrying a legacy of over 120 years. Based on Awaji Island, the region is known for being the original birthplace of incense in Japan.

The ‘Sumi Kit - Scented’ goes with a series of 3 classes

• #1 The basics of Japanese calligraphy
• #2 Writing Hiragana - Japanese syllabary
• #3 Writing Kanji - Chinese origin characters