Kobaien Pre-War Sumi 'Tōryūmon' with Pre-1938 Kō Mark Seal

An early-Showa oil-soot ink stick by Kobaien, still bearing the 'kō' mark seal of the Japan brush, ink and inkstone producers' federation, a seal used only before 1938.

The 'kō' (公) seal dates this stick to the early Showa era. That makes it more than eighty years old, the kind of true koboku that calligraphers seek for its settled glue and soft, layered tones. Kobaien has made Nara ink since 1577. The moulded name 'Tōryūmon' (Dragon Gate) refers to the carp that leaps the falls and becomes a dragon, a long-standing emblem of success in study. The shop lists it as standard grade No. 10 oil-soot ink.

Details

• Maker: Kobaien (古梅園), Nara
• Name: 登龍門 (Tōryūmon)
• Date: early Showa, with the kō mark seal used before 1938
• Type: oil-soot ink (油煙墨), standard grade No. 10
• Size: 2 × 8.3 × 1.3 cm; 26 g
• Box: none stated; shipped in protective packaging
• Condition: vintage; please see photos

Watch: sumi ink being made at Kobaien, Nara

A calligraphy channel visits Kobaien in Nara to film its traditional handmade sumi ink production. (Not this specific piece.)

Please read before ordering

• One of a kind. We confirm availability with the dealer in Japan within one business day of your order; if it has sold we refund in full immediately.
• Ships from New Jersey in 2–3 weeks. Price includes all import duties. Fully insured, signature required.