{"product_id":"kobaien-hakkaku-oimatsu-octagonal-8-cho-sumi-ink","title":"Kobaien 'Hakkaku Oimatsu' Octagonal Old-Pine 8-chō Nara Sumi Ink","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAn octagonal cake of Kobaien's finest oil-soot ink, moulded with an ancient pine: a classic 'appreciation ink' shape.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKobaien, founded in Nara in 1577, is the oldest surviving maker of solid sumi in Japan. Nara-zumi is made by kneading soot with animal glue (nikawa), pressing it into carved wooden moulds and drying it slowly for months, and a well-made stick improves for years as the glue settles. Kobaien makes this from rapeseed-oil soot of the finest particle size. The shop notes that it grinds smoothly, giving a glossy, mellow pure black when thick and a deep brown-toned black when diluted, for kanji and kana alike. Octagonal and round cakes like this were traditionally collected and displayed as well as used.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDetails\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMaker: Kobaien (古梅園), Nara\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eName: 八角老松 (Hakkaku Oimatsu), 8-chō size\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eType: top-grade rapeseed-oil soot ink (油煙墨)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSize: 9.0 × 9.0 × 1.5 cm; approx. 130 g\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBox: not specified by the shop; shipped in protective packaging\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCondition: new\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWatch: sumi ink being made at Kobaien, Nara\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA calligraphy channel visits Kobaien in Nara to film its traditional handmade sumi ink production. (Not this specific piece.)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"position:relative;padding-bottom:56.25%;height:0;overflow:hidden;max-width:100%;margin-bottom:1.5em;\"\u003e\u003ciframe src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\/embed\/8iZQR0VWIts?rel=0\" title=\"sumi ink being made at Kobaien, Nara\" style=\"position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;border:0;\" allow=\"accelerometer; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePlease read before ordering\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLimited availability.\u003c\/strong\u003e We confirm availability with the dealer in Japan within one business day of your order; if it has sold we refund in full immediately.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eShips from New Jersey in 2–3 weeks. Price includes all import duties. Fully insured, signature required.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Kobaien (古梅園)","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67648277479792,"sku":"ME-KOBAIEN-HAKKAKU-OIMATSU-OCTAGONAL-8-C","price":819.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1042\/2940\/5040\/files\/116435095.jpg?v=1791329558","url":"https:\/\/meridianeast.co\/products\/kobaien-hakkaku-oimatsu-octagonal-8-cho-sumi-ink","provider":"Meridian East","version":"1.0","type":"link"}