The technique of “Yusen 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.
Originally the ”sumi-ink” that was imported was ”shoen zumi” which were made by burning pinewood, its soot used. In contrast to this, the ”yuen zumi” Nara ink was made by soot from rape seed and sesame seed oils. This technique was invented at Kofukuji during the Muromachi period. Compared to former ”shoen zumi”, the dark pitch of black, the glaze, and the texture while grinding the ink all improved drastically. Ever since, ”yuen zumi” has been highly appraised and used throughout the country.

Observing the traditional method

Long-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.

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It takes 100 days to make “Sumi” Ink

It is said that the history of Suzukazumi goes back to the beginning of Heian Period. We met with Kido Ito who is a Traditional Artist making ”Sumi” Ink by hand which is a tradition that has been passed along.
Making ”Sumi” ink is a heavy duty work unlike what people would imagine. First of all you have to use the whole body to knead the glue that is made from leather and bone from deer and cow and spices to the main ingredient, soot.
Nakata holds one of the ”Sumi” ink that has just been kneaded.
”It feels like jelly”, says Nakata.
They put the jelly like thing into a wooden mold and after it is dried, it is then polished to get the glaze. It takes about 100 days to make one ”Sumi” ink.

There are many varieties to “Sumi” ink

It is interesting to know that there are many varieties of ”Sumi” ink. Nakata was surprised to know that and asked Ito, ”There are so many varieties of ”Sumi” ink”. Ito replies, ”we make about 300 different varieties in our place.”

That is of course due to the taste of different people. Some people prefer solid black while some prefer blurry ink. To respond to those needs, he made so many varieties to test.
When people think of ”Sumi” ink, they automatically imagine it to be black. However, are 300 different shades. Ito admired his father as his master and took over the 3rd generation Kido name. In fact he remains the only artist who can make Suzukazumi now. In order not to terminate the history of Suzukazumi that has been continuing for more than 1000 years, he is pouring his energy to train his successor as well as creating his own ”Sumi” ink.

The post “Kido Ito, Suzukazumi” “Sumi” ink that has as many colors as there are people. first appeared on NIHONMONO.