Minista, an artisan 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 a Tuned End-of-the-Creek inkstone (modifying the ink well and ink path to improve the inkstone's performance) by Minista. A seal indicating it is an End-of-the-Creek inkstone is affixed to the underside of the lid. Although it may be an unused inkstone, I wasn't certain, so I've listed it as a slightly used inkstone. Plum blossoms and Japanese bush warblers are carved around the entire perimeter of the inkstone. The stone has a nice feel. Jade markings can be seen in the stone pattern. The ink grinds exceptionally well, and the ink glides smoothly, producing rich ink. The ink color is good from dark to light shades, with gradations, and the ink spreads well, allowing for long, flowing lines. Suitable for kana (Japanese calligraphy, ~half-cut paper), kanji (Chinese characters, ~half-cut paper), and ink wash painting. Size: 17.5 x 12.3 x 2.2 cm (7 inches) Weight: 860g * The wood is in good condition, but there are some minor scratches and dents from storage. * If purchased with ink, we offer a 300 yen discount per ink stick. * Shipping uses Mercari shipping, which includes shipping insurance. #Minista Inkstone (Inspiring Inkstone) ↑ Click here for a list of inkstones. Checking "Show only items for sale" will make it easier to view. Inkstone Tuning: Maintenance to improve the performance of ink grinding, ink color, ink spread, ink release, and the feel of grinding ink, so that you can write and paint better. People often say they feel like they've improved their writing and painting skills. Calligraphy Calligraphy tools Suzuri (inkstone) Kana (Japanese calligraphy) Kanji (Chinese characters) Japanese painting Ink wash painting Ink painting Letter art End-of-the-Creek inkstone Shezhou inkstone Chinese inkstone Brush Ink Inkstone Paper