Mosong Traditional Ink Stick – Sumi Solid Ink for Grinding on Stone
This Mosong traditional ink stick allows you to prepare black ink by hand for calligraphy, sumi-e, wash painting, and ink drawing.
A few drops of water on an ink stone are enough to gradually release the material. The longer the grinding, the denser, darker, and more concentrated the ink becomes.
Unlike ready-to-use liquid ink, the intensity is adjusted during preparation: deep black for bold strokes, lighter dilution for washes, gradients, and pressure variations.
To choose the stone, measure the water, understand grinding, and adapt the paper, you can consult the
Ikane guide on ink sticks, stones, papers, brushes, and washes.
INFORMATION
The ink stick is prepared directly on a moistened ink stone. The action involves slowly rubbing the base of the stick on the stone's surface to produce ink usable with a brush.
The density depends on two elements: the amount of water applied and the grinding time. With little water, the ink becomes more concentrated; with more water, it becomes more fluid and lighter.
Its hexagonal shape offers a stable grip. It slightly slows down the movement and helps maintain more consistent grinding, especially during initial preparations.
FEATURES
Type: Sumi solid ink
Composition: fine soot and natural binder
Dimensions: approximately 7.5 × 1.8 × 1 cm
Weight: approximately 20 g
Required support: ink stone and clear water
PREPARING THE INK
Place a few drops of water on the flat part of the ink stone. Do not fill the entire cavity initially: a small amount of water makes it easier to obtain a concentrated base.
Hold the stick almost vertically, with its base flat on the stone. Rub slowly in circles or regular movements, without pressing hard.
After a few minutes, test the blackness with a brush on a scrap piece of paper. If the ink appears too light, continue grinding. If it sticks or becomes too thick, add one or two drops of water.
For washes, first prepare concentrated ink, then dilute it in a separate bowl. This method gives more control than starting with an overly watery preparation.
USE & CARE
Wipe the wet side of the stick after each session. Do not leave it soaking in water and do not put it away when it is still wet.
Rinse the stone with clear water after use, without detergent. A layer of dried ink can hinder subsequent preparations and alter the grinding texture.
Allow the stick to air dry before returning it to its storage. Enclosed humidity can weaken the solid ink or mark the surface.
Store in a dry place, away from humidity and strong temperature variations.
TO PAIR WITH
To prepare the ink, this stick can be paired with the
7.5 cm ink stone
or the
natural ink stone with lid.
To work on lines, solids, and pressure variations, you can use it with the
bamboo calligraphy brush,
the
traditional rabbit hair brush
or the
set of stiff fiber calligraphy brushes.
To observe the diffusion of black, choose a suitable support such as the
handmade Xuan paper,
the
semi-ripe Xuan paper
or the
semi-treated vegetable paper roll.
To start with an already organized set, you can also consult the
starter ink stone and stick set
or the
Calligraphy selection.
🤍 Ikane Workshop Tip
Start with very little water, then gradually increase the dilution. The quality of the black depends as much on the preparation time as on the gesture itself: it's better to build slowly than to drown the ink from the start.
