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 a Zengyo-o (yellow eel) Chonrei inkstone, tuned by Minista (reworking the ink well and ink surface to improve the inkstone's performance). It's a genuine? old? Chonrei inkstone. This inkstone uses natural stone from Reigan Mountain in Suzhou. (I'm using the general term for the stone from Reigan Mountain. I haven't personally seen or confirmed the quarry. However, it is definitely a natural stone.) Originally, it's said that this inkstone was made by solidifying mud from the bottom of a river, which is a preposterous tale, but it's a stone with an atmosphere that could even deceive an emperor. Reigan Mountain. It's a place where stone that looks like Reishi mushrooms is said to be found. It has that kind of atmosphere. I believe there was a quarry near Reigan Mountain. When you search for Chonrei inkstones online, you'll find various descriptions, such as natural stone or ceramic. Those who know seem to know, but many people write about it without ever having seen one. If you think about it a little, you should understand... Even today, it seems to be a preposterous matter. I am in awe of the knowledge and ingenuity of the Chinese people who make Chonrei inkstones today. The more I learn, the more I realize that the understanding and accumulation of knowledge about inkstones is vastly different between the Chinese and the Japanese. There are people in China who make Tang inkstones. The understanding of those who make them and those who only look at and use them is completely different. For example, it's like the difference between someone who writes and paints and someone who only looks at them. Size: 11.5 x 13.0 x 4.2 cm Weight: Over 1kg (1.1kg) * The wood is in good condition. * If purchased with ink, I offer a 300 yen discount per ink stick. * Shipping uses Mercari shipping with shipping insurance. #Minista Inkstone (Inspiring Inkstone) ↑ Click here for a list of inkstones. Check "Show only items for sale" for easier viewing. Inkstone Tuning: Maintenance to improve ink flow, ink color, and ink spread, allowing you to write and paint better. People often say that they feel like they've improved their writing and painting skills by using my inkstones. Calligraphy Calligraphy Tools Suzuri (inkstone) Kana (Japanese syllabary) Kanji (Chinese characters) Kana Japanese Painting Sumi-e (ink wash painting) Picture Letters Tankei Inkstone Kyoshu Inkstone Chinese Inkstone Brush Ink Inkstone Paper