Natural inkstone with lid for calligraphy and traditional ink
This natural inkstone allows you to prepare liquid ink from a solid ink stick for calligraphy, sumi-e, wash painting, and brush drawing.
A few drops of water are placed on the surface, then the ink stick is slowly rubbed against the stone. The pigment is gradually released, until an ink of varying density is obtained depending on the grinding time.
The natural stone offers a slightly textured surface to facilitate grinding. The reservoir allows the ink to be kept during the session, while the engraved lid protects the stone between uses.
INFORMATION
The inkstone is one of the essential tools of traditional calligraphy. It is used to transform a dry ink stick into fresh ink, prepared according to the desired amount of water and density.
The longer the grinding, the more concentrated, dark, and deep the ink becomes. Shorter grinding produces lighter ink, useful for washes, line exercises, or diluted shades.
The lid engraved with a bamboo motif protects the stone surface from dust between sessions. The nuances of the stone, the engraving, and the finish may vary slightly from piece to piece.
FEATURES
Material: natural stone
Lid: engraved
Surface: slightly textured grinding area
Dimensions: approximately 13.5 × 7.5 × 2.5 cm
Compatibility: traditional ink sticks, calligraphy brushes, papers suitable for ink techniques
USE & CARE
Place a few drops of water on the grinding surface, then rub the ink stick in slow, steady movements. Adding very little water initially allows for better control of the ink's density.
For light ink, stop grinding earlier or add a little water. For blacker, denser ink, continue grinding until a more concentrated texture is obtained.
After use, gently rinse the stone with clean water, without harsh products. Wipe with a soft cloth and let it dry completely before replacing the lid.
COMPOSE YOUR INK KIT
To prepare ink directly on the stone, you can combine it with
traditional ink sticks,
to be ground with a few drops of water according to the desired density.
For working on lines, calligraphy, and sumi-e, it can accompany the
bamboo calligraphy brush,
the
traditional rabbit hair brush
or the
set of 5 Chinese calligraphy brushes.
To receive ink with controlled diffusion, you can use
semi-ripe Xuan paper
or
handmade Xuan paper.
To rest brushes between strokes and keep the table clean, you can complete the set with the
Blue Dragon ceramic brush rest
or the
black workshop brush holder.
🤍 Ikane Workshop Tip
Add only a few drops of water, then slowly grind the ink stick. The longer the motion, the denser, deeper, and more suitable the ink becomes for distinct lines.
