“Hōso Mukyū” (寶祚無窮) [Meaning] Eternal prosperity without end. It expresses the wish that the prosperity of the Imperial Family and the nation will continue forever, as long as heaven and earth exist. (In fact, Japan is currently updating its record of 2,684 years, the longest in the world. It is also recorded in Guinness as the world's oldest imperial family.) The original text is from the Nihon Shoki (Chronicles of Japan), where it is written as "寶祚之隆當與天壤無窮者矣" by Amaterasu Omikami. Among the oil soot inks, sesame oil soot is the finest, with the smallest particles. The characteristics of this sesame oil soot ink are its fine carbon particles, high purity, and strong black color. It spreads well, and the bleeding is very beautiful. It produces a pure black with thick ink and a black with a pale purple hue with diluted ink. The strong, jet-black color is especially suitable for kana and kanji works, and it is a very valuable item. In addition, we have received many comments that the ink has a wonderful fragrance despite its age. On the back, the calligraphy of Hikataku Hisamoto, who died at the age of 84 in the winter of the Taisho era (1918), is inscribed. He was a Second Court Rank, First Order of Merit. The side is engraved with "Count Hijikata's Calligraphy." Hijikata Hisamoto was a Tosa samurai and politician from the end of the Edo period to the Meiji era. He worked with Sakamoto Ryoma and others to realize the Satcho Alliance. On another side, it is written "Made by Genshoen," so it is likely that the ink was made about fifty years ago in the early Showa era. The elaborate construction, with characters carved on all four sides of the ink, is also unique to that time. Size: Length 82mm, Width 20mm, Thickness 7mm Weight: Approximately 17g *New, unused, in a paulownia wood box. The photos are of the actual item.* Traditional craft designated by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry. Calligraphy and Shodo Supplies: Suzu, Ink, Hanshi, Brush, Paperweight, Shodo Set, Other