I am Minista, a creator of inspiring suzuri (inkstones). I create inkstones that make writing and painting more enjoyable, and make the time spent grinding ink a pleasure. This is an Akama Shikinsai stone inkstone, tuned by Minista (re-shaping the ink well and ink surface to improve the inkstone's performance). It comes in a paulownia wood box, and the back of the inkstone is engraved with "Akama Shikinsai, Shoryuzan Saku" (Made by Shoryuzan). It was made by Yurisho Shimoi (Shoryuzan), who was a traditional craftsman of Kusonoki inkstones. The Akama Shikinsai inkstone uses red stone from Yamaguchi Prefecture. There are four types of Akama stone: Akama Shiunseki (the most common), Akama Shikinsai, Akama Shiseki, and Akama Shikinseki, and this is one of them. (Sometimes it is counted as five types, including Akama Shigyoku stone.) Akama Shikinsai is a legendary stone that was said to be the highest grade of Akama stone in the past (before the Edo period). It has a beautiful stone pattern of purple and green. It is no longer quarried, but the quarry was located around the border of Asa County and Ube City. (See the supplement below for Shikinsai) It works well with both pine soot ink (blue ink) and oil soot ink (brown ink), and produces a beautiful, transparent ink color. I think it will be especially noticeable with medium to light ink, blurring, and bleeding. Some Japanese-style painters who are very fond of it also use it. Size: 15.2 x 9.5 x 2.3 cm Weight: 725g *The paulownia wood box is badly stained with ink, especially the inside of the box. *If you purchase ink with the inkstone, you will receive a 300 yen discount per ink stick. #Minista Suzuri (Inspiring Inkstone) ↑Click here for a list of inkstones. Suzuri Tuning: This is the process of improving the performance of the inkstone, such as the smoothness of the ink, the quality of the ink color, the spread of the ink, ink repellency, and the grinding feel of the ink, so that you can write and paint better. People often say that they feel like they have improved their writing and painting skills. Ink consumption will be reduced to about 2/3 to 1/2. Akama Shikinsai Supplement: Shikinsai was a legendary stone in the past, but it has not been confirmed whether this stone was the Shikinsai of the past. This is because the Shikinsai of the past does not remain. Also, I can't find the gold of Shikinsai. If it can be made properly, it is a wonderfully good stone, but the problem is that it is very difficult to make (suzuri tuning). Shoryuzan also could not make (or did not make?) it. I think Shoryuzan made it as an inkstone to be displayed because it is a beautiful stone. Therefore, I think that all the inkstones are beautiful and only used for the ink well. But, if it can be made properly, it is a very good inkstone. Calligraphy Calligraphy Tools Suzuri Inkstone Kana Kanji Sutra copying Japanese painting Sumi-e Ink painting Letter art Japanese inkstone Tankei inkstone Brush Ink Inkstone Paper