Why Japanese Calligraphy Ink Is So Expensive

Traditional Japanese calligraphy ink, referred to as sumi ink, comes in a solid form. It takes at least four years of production before these ink sticks can be sold, and even longer for the most expensive ones.

A 200-gram high-grade ink stick from a producer like Kobaien costs over $1,000. And at some other retailers, prices can reach almost $2,000. Meanwhile, almost double the amount of commercial India ink can go for as little as $9.

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[chadm.]

450 years is a long time for one man to make ink. I'm concerned for this man and his feet.

[MMuraseofSandvich]

For the people outside of east Asia: This is probably premium stuff. You can get bottled ink and a cheap brush at places like Daiso and get your feet wet in Asian calligraphy, or you can get ink sticks made in a factory for a fraction of the price. I'm assuming the quality of these ink sticks are amazing and geared towards the masters and professionals, kind of like Japan's uber-expensive carbon steel chef's knives.

There's a lot about Japanese culture that has this sort of centuries-old tradition that is maintained by a rapidly-aging group of people with no heirs.

[darkwarriormaster]

This is fascinating. I never even heard of ink sticks and ink stones before watching this video. Also, I already knew that calligraphy was in both China and Japan, but didn’t know the former had such an influence on the latter.

[cortexcarvalho]

His workplace looks like one of those super organized farm games. So satisfying to see.

[footfault]

Many of craftsmanship in Japan stubbornly resist replacement by machine. Here's an example, which is in fact rare & curious even for most of us Japanese. They usually have a very long history, some of which could boast of century-long continuity, while others, unfortunately, disappearing due to unsustainability in modern lifestyle.
The level of skill/performance by those maestros is simply stunning, beyond our (Japanese) imagination, say, unrealistic by human! Precise & infallible, like Swiss watch, it's they who work like machine! Reaching that level becomes Art, entertaining & mesmerizing to watch. Allow us preen ourselves a bit, will you?

PS. The style/structure of the workplace (+ residence?) is also impressive, leaving inkling of samurai era!

[silver]

I appreciate their dedication to traditional methods and not prioritizing efficiency above quality, but can they really not think of a better way to collect the soot? The best way is really to have some poor man going back in forth in a smoke-filled room, sucking in lungfuls of the very same soot he is trying to collect?? Come on, now.

[michaeltate]

I’m very impressed with these people. Such dedication is very amazing

[atillaozturk]

The Japanese are very interesting people.
On one side they live in a high tech society and on the other they still carry on with traditions passed on from their ancestors hundreds of years ago.

[gk]

Thanks for showing us this amazing documentary

[sikhswim]

Please followup with the soap they use before they head home to make and enjoy dinner with their families

[noonedude]

I watched this video when it first came out. Last week, I went to Japan and bought a calligraphy scroll that was painted with this ink. It is extremely beautiful.

[ernestcashion]

At the very end he says the company will lose money instead of make a low quality ink stick. So he's making 6, 000 at 1, 000 a pop hell that's 6 million, I'm gonna say they're doing okay.

[WhiteDragon]

Wow, that is so much work. I wonder how they discovered how to do this?

[glockspsmd]

Hes been making it for 450 years dude looks good for his age. Taking all that ink into his skin and all lol

[BLAZE-ekkv]

I swear. I bet their is a documentary abt why Japanese paper is so expensive. & their is an old Japanese men who's been making paper for 1000 years

[ninjatoaster]

6:28 I'm happy that he's happy to explain how he does his job

[fookingsog]

"Soot"....Semantically speaking, is quite simply "Carbon Black".

[dr.quackenbacker]

Man, I really wonder what soap he uses

[nwmllrb]

I hope Japanese hold on real strong to their beautiful crafts!!!!

[h.huffen-puff]

For this much time and money, the brush and ink had better be mightier than the sword.

Bite my tongue...