[Suzuri (inkwell) and Sumi (ink stick)]

Description

1 inkwell and 1 ink stick : 4.875 x 2.375 in.

Accompanies Sumi bako (2004.1.183).

Black stone suzuri (inkwell) with sloping interior and a small stick of sumi (india ink) with Japanese writing on both sides originally housed in a sumi bako box. Ink stick is rectangular but one side has been worn down to a diagonal edge.

History
Black ink is made by rubbing the stick of sumi with some water in the ink well. This ink was used to make the fine lines of a mon (Japanese family crest) by Mrs. Shizu Kaigo

All requests for permission to publish, reproduce, or quote from materials in this collection must be submitted to the Hirasaki National Resource Center at the Japanese American National Museum (hnrc@janm.org).