End-of-the-river Inkstone, Song Dynasty Pit, "Grapes," Owned by Uunosuke Kawai This inkstone was acquired by the potter Uunosuke Kawai approximately 80 years ago during a cultural exchange in China, where he received it from a Chinese calligrapher. After Uunosuke Kawai's death, his eldest son, the potter Nori Kawai II, inherited the inkstone. Later, my uncle, who was a disciple of Nori Kawai and undergoing training, received it from Nori Kawai upon his retirement. The price tag in the photo is believed to be from when Nori Kawai had it for sale. Reportedly, when another of Nori Kawai's disciples submitted it to a TV show called "Antiques Roadshow," it was appraised as a valuable item. However, due to the passage of time, no tangible data to support this could be found, but it is believed to be at least 100 years old or even older. This item is being sold due to the closing of the family home. Finally, ◆ What is an End-of-the-river Inkstone (Tankei-ken)? It is an inkstone made from End-of-the-river stone from Zhaoqing City, Guangdong Province, China. It is known as one of the four famous inkstones of China and was brought to Japan from the Tang Dynasty to the Song Dynasty. End-of-the-river inkstones are highly valued for their artistic and aesthetic qualities and are traded at high prices as antiques. Historically, End-of-the-river inkstones were highly regarded from the Tang Dynasty and were used as imperial items by the emperors during the Song Dynasty. This long history indicates that the End-of-the-river inkstone is not just a tool but an important element for enhancing the artistry of calligraphy. In calligraphy, the inkstone is considered one of the "Four Treasures of the Study" along with the brush, ink, and paper, and among them, the End-of-the-river inkstone is particularly esteemed for its superior quality. #UunosukeKawai #China #Calligrapher #Calligraphy #AntiqueArt #Inkstone