目次 ”Yuen zumi”Nara is famous for its ”sumi-ink”. It was introduced from Kokuri about the year 600 and has been refined and used since the Heian period. However, Nara ink drastically changed all this. |
Observing the traditional methodLong-established ”Kobaien” opened in 1577 and inherits this traditional ”yuen zumi” method to manufacture quality ”sumi-ink”. Nakata was given the opportunity to watch the ”saien” procedure, where soot was collected after burning vegetable oil in a vessel. The numerous lit vessels all lined up in the dark room was a spectacle that gave off a sense of eternity. Fire lit to create ink; the procedure being carried on for more than 400 years. This light will most likely continue well into the future. |