Ogatsu ink stones with 600 years of historyOgatsu ”suzuri” or inkstone, designated a National Traditional Artifact, is said to have its origin in the Muromachi period, some 600 years ago. According to an old document, the founder of Mutsu Sendai clan, Masamune Date, received an inkstone as an offering, and was very pleased with it. His son, the second lord of the clan、Tadamune Date, was so impressed by the beauty of the Ogatsu inkstone that he invited inkstone artisans to work for his court. He also designated the quarry that produced the Ogatsu stone as ”Otomeyama” to make Ogatsu inkstones exclusively. |
Stepping into the quarryUpon arrival, we were taken to the Ogatsu stone quarry. An impressive place where the rugged cliffs reached high, but Takahashi of Ogatsu Inkstone Cooperative who took us there said, ”we are standing in a location that also used to be part of the mountain.” This meant that what was now a flat piece of land, actually used to be part of the mountain. |
Inkstones carved by artisansOgatsu inkstones, with 600 years of history, is known for inkstone production, and is said to have accounted for 90% of total Japanese inkstone production at one time. At the time, there were many artisans with many people taking part in the process through division of labor between miners, carvers and polishers. However, the town of Ogatsu, which is situated in a cove of Ojika Peninsula, was greatly damaged by the Great East Japan Earthquake, and houses, workshops, and almost the entire lifeline was destroyed. Now, they have set up a cooperative office and a workshop in the temporary shopping district. Although complete division of labor is not yet possible, many people are participating in inkstone making. During this visit, we had the privilege to observe the work of Ichio Endo, an inkstone artisan. He is a veteran with 50 years experience. |
ACCESS
- Ogatsu Suzuri Cooperative
- Ogatsu Ten Koyagai, 84-1 Ogatsu Isehata, Ogatsu-cho Ishinomaki-shi, Miyagi