Suzuka Sumi is solid ink (ink sticks) for calligraphy made in Suzuka City, Mie Prefecture. Soot (susu) is kneaded and hardened with animal glue (nikawa: an adhesive made from animal hides and bones), formed in wooden molds, and finished by drying over a long period. Its origins are said to go back to the Enryaku era (782-806), and it is said to have begun with collecting soot by burning pine from the mountains of Suzuka. In the Edo period, it received the protection of the Kishu Domain, and demand grew with the writing of daimyo family crests and the spread of terakoya (private elementary schools). With good color development and an elegant depth, it is used by many calligraphers as an ink in which the core of the line and the bleed harmonize well. In 1980 (Showa 55), it became the first sumi ink to be designated a Traditional Craft Designated by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry. Today, 進誠堂 in Jike, Suzuka City, is said to be the only maker of Suzuka Sumi. The certified traditional craftsperson 伊藤亀堂 and 伊藤晴信, the son of 伊藤亀堂, carry on the techniques.
Origin
Suzuka Sumi is said to have originated in the Enryaku era. According to tradition, soot was collected by burning koematsu (肥松: pine rich in resin) that grew in the mountains of Suzuka, and ink was made from it. Suzuka was a place where the raw materials needed for ink making were easy to obtain. In addition, its weakly alkaline water is said to bring the setting power and stickiness of animal glue to the ideal state for ink making, so the area was blessed with favorable geographical and climatic conditions.
History
In the Edo period, as kamishimo (formal samurai attire) came into fashion, the family crests of the various daimyo were established, and high-quality brushes and ink were sought for drawing those crests. Combined with the spread of terakoya, demand for ink surged. When the Suzuka area became territory of the Kishu Domain, the ink making developed under the protection and generous treatment of the lords of Kishu. Suzuka Sumi was originally made as a high-precision ink for dyeing and for drawing crests, and later many fine calligraphy inks were also produced. On October 16, 1980, it became the first sumi ink to be designated a national Traditional Craft.
Features
The appeal of Suzuka Sumi is its excellent color development. It is said to be elegant and deep, with the core of the line (the base line) and the bleed in superb harmony. Today's products use vegetable oil-soot (yuen) as their main raw material, and the ink comes off very smoothly when ground on an inkstone. Because its particles are fine and it adheres well to paper and silk, it is also said to excel at drawing crests. 進誠堂 is also working on developing new inks, such as colored inks in eight colors and a white ink, and also makes small items dyed with sumi ink.
Techniques
Momiage (kneading)
The process of repeatedly kneading by hand the ink lump (墨玉) made by combining soot and animal glue. Mixing the soot and glue evenly and removing excess air leads to smoothness when the ink is ground.
Molding
The kneaded ink is weighed according to the size of the stick, placed in a wooden mold and pressed into shape. Besides molding, forming methods include hechimamaki (糸瓜巻き), spatula pressing, and hand-gripping, in which the ink is shaped by squeezing it in the hand.
Ash-change drying
A drying method in which ink taken out of the mold is buried in ash, and the ash is replaced repeatedly to remove moisture little by little. After this continues for about 5 to 30 days, the ink sticks are bound together and hung, then dried naturally for 2 to 6 months.
Materials Used
Production Process
- 1
Dissolving the glue
The animal glue is melted in a hot-water bath until it resembles starch syrup (mizuame).
- 2
Momiage (kneading)
The melted glue and soot are combined and kneaded by hand. They are mixed evenly into an ink lump from which the air has been removed.
- 3
Molding
The ink lump is weighed, placed in a wooden mold and formed by applying pressure with a jack.
- 4
Ash-change drying
Ink taken out of the mold is buried in ash, and its moisture is removed over about 5 to 30 days while the ash is changed.
- 5
Hanging to dry
The ink sticks taken out of the ash are bound together and hung, and dried slowly and naturally over about 2 to 6 months.
- 6
Finishing
The surface is washed, polished with a seashell and decorated. The ink is then aged further and finished as a product.
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Artisans & Workshops
鈴鹿墨 進誠堂
An ink works in Jike, Suzuka City, founded in 1947 (Showa 22). It is said to be the only workshop currently making Suzuka Sumi. The certified traditional craftsperson 伊藤亀堂 created inks such as the industry's first eight-color ink, was selected for the Contemporary Master Craftsman award in 2014 and received the Medal with Yellow Ribbon in 2019.
Official site →伊藤晴信（進誠堂）
An ink master at 進誠堂. 伊藤晴信 began training under the craftsperson's father, 伊藤亀堂, in 2010, and was certified as a traditional craftsperson in 2023. 伊藤晴信 has perfected new colored inks such as crimson (真紅) and lapis blue (瑠璃), as well as the white ink '卯の花,' said to be the first of its kind in the industry.
Official site →How to Buy
- 進誠堂 (direct sales)
- Ink is sold at the shop in Jike, where demonstrations are also given. List prices range widely, from about 1,320 yen for the small '遊' to high-end products exceeding 50,000 yen. Open on weekdays from 9:00 to 16:30; closed on weekends and national holidays. A 5-minute walk from 鼓ヶ浦 Station on the Kintetsu Line.Where to buy →PR
- 鈴鹿市伝統産業会館
- A city facility introducing Suzuka Sumi and Ise Katagami, which sells a selection of Suzuka Sumi for kanji, for kana and for ink-wash painting. Admission is free; closed on Mondays (or the following day if Monday is a national holiday) and over the New Year holidays.Where to buy →PR
Hands-on Experiences
鈴鹿市伝統産業会館
三重県鈴鹿市寺家3-10-1
A facility established by Suzuka City in 1983, displaying old ink sticks, wooden molds and raw materials such as animal glue and soot. Demonstrations by Suzuka Sumi craftspeople are held on the second and fourth Sundays, but as they are suspended on some days, it is best to check the official website. An introductory video (about 25 minutes) can also be viewed.
View details →FAQ
Q. Is Suzuka Sumi the only ink designated as a Traditional Craft?
A. In 1980, Suzuka Sumi became the first sumi ink to be designated a national Traditional Craft. For a long time it was introduced as 'the only one among inks,' but in 2018 Nara Sumi was also designated a Traditional Craft.
Q. How can I make an ink stick last longer?
A. According to 進誠堂, after use it is important to wipe the moisture off the ground end thoroughly and put the ink stick away in its box. Moisture left on the stick can cause cracking. Ink dislikes high temperatures and humidity, so take care not to leave it for long periods in places such as inside a car.