Ink Sticks for Calligraphy

Ink Sticks are traditionally made from a carbon black ink mixed with gum and resin, and then molded into sticks. To make a writing ink, the ink stick is dipped into water and ground on a grinding stone to create the ink. Ink sticks are available in a variety of colors. Both Chinese and Japanese have traditionally used ink sticks.

With Chinese Ink Sticks, if the bottom of the ink stick appears matte and dull when dry, then it has been made from burnt pine twigs or roots, and will give you a blue-black ink. If the bottom is glossy and smooth, it has been made from burnt vegetable oil and will give a slightly shiny brown-black ink.

Yasutomo Sumi Ink Stick
Made from powdered carbon from burnt pine, or lamp black, plus a binding agent.

Saiboku Japanese Colored Ink Stick
Comes in a variety of colors. Flows well from the pen.

Chinese Calligraphy Ink Sticks
A high-quality ink. Comes in a variety of colors. Excellent for both calligraphy and watercolor painting.

Chinese "Youth" Ink
This is basically a liquid version of Chinese Stick Ink.

To create ink from the ink sticks, it must be ground. This is commonly done on a grinding stone, also known as a suzuri, or ink stone made from slate.

Yasutomo Suzuri Grinding Stone
This is a man-made inkstone with the well end for holding water and the flat surface end for grinding the ink. Clean well after use.

Shakyo-Ken Ink Stone
Made of Japanese stone with a very dense grain, this stone has the flat surface for grinding and a well deep enough for dipping your pens.

Unglazed Gaken Dish
A round, white, unglazed ceramic dish for grinding colored ink sticks.