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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[@riosantiago4746]

Every so often I come back to this video. Unsure why but there is something that really resonates with me here.

[@Taakabron211]

Same here, i identify as an ink stick.

[@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.

[@Valiran9]

That’s very sad. Artistry like this should never be allowed to die out.

[@Ghosy01]

Get with the times old man . I haven’t written anything on paper in 8 years .

[@war_designer8763]

That’s very true and and also very sad 😔

[@zhinka1]

the cancers the workers get make this too costly for those with a soul

[@tilasole3252]

@@Ghosy01 that's actually quite sad. I am not even sure they teach basic calligraphy anymore in American schools. If it was not for spell checker, we wouldn't be able to understand these newer generations with plain English.

[@chadm.7371]

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

[@yourfunsister]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@devynhale1623]

The company

[@slifer0081]

​@@devynhale1623 what??? No!!!

[@itrurelig1on759]

I’m more concerned that he is 450 years old I know Japanese people tend to live a lot older lives than Westerners come on 450 years old that is impossible even for a Japanese man.

[@slifer0081]

@ITRURELIG1ON It was intended to be a joke based on the context of the way they stated in the video :)

[@cortexcarvalho9423]

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

[@darkwarriormaster9644]

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.

[@footfault1941]

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!

[@michaeltate1776]

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

[@ninjatoaster924]

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

[@gk82111]

Thanks for showing us this amazing documentary

[@atillaozturk7075]

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.

[@war_designer8763]

It’s sad to see that many of these traditions are slowly disappearing 😔

[@Cakemarvelous]

​@@war_designer8763well I'm all for tradition but there's got to be a way more efficient to have the same result without painstakingly rotate a lid of 400 candles every 20 minutes

[@unromanoarecareanaveragero8275]

@@war_designer8763 This is the dark side of progressivism.

[@fookingsog]

Amazing Dichotomy!!!

[@mewlysses2346]

​@@unromanoarecareanaveragero8275i could give a fuck about tradition of it makes the life of humans easier and lessens human suffering without tradition

[@noonedude101]

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.

[@silver965]

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.

[@gotzmadskittlez3406]

That's what I thought. Tradition be damned, give that poor guy a break.

[@mattwong7191]

Yeah there is something incredibly Japanese about this. Painstaking, labourious, artisan work. Except, it's incredibly inefficient and just brutal on the poor human who has to do all that tedious work, inhaling extremely bad for you soot constantly. I'm sure the final product is amazing but in some respects this just seems like retaining the "old ways" for the sake of tradition.

[@chrthiel]

​@@mattwong7191They could at least give him a proper full face respirator. Preferably a powered one

[@ponzu638]

"They must rotate the lid every twenty minutes for two hours." Given that there are multiple rooms with hundreds of these inside, I'm sorry but that's just unnecessarily tedious.

[@Valiran9]

I think a little automation would go a long way here without impacting the quality of the product.

[@glocksp80smd]

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

[@luisotero2632]

The guy breathing all that smoke…

[@curiousneo]

Sees ink stick. My brain: eat it

[@nemesisbreakz]

Artisans i respect

[@WhiteDragon689]

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

[@TheStockwell]

I assume, like cultures throughout history, they noticed charcoal in fires could be used to make black marks. Then, it was seen how adding water to soot produces ink. This is essentially how all cultures discover how natural substances can be turned into paints and dyes. What followed afterwards was centuries of experimentation until a final process became a traditional technique to be passed on. I make ink from soot. Nothing as elaborate and intense as this video shows, but the basics are simple: soot, a binding agent, and a great deal of work. Best wishes from Vermont 🍁

[@pl3473]

They got it from the Chinese, which took form in rudimentary soot balls and you can crush it with some water after it’s dried, after that the Chinese developed it into ink sticks that you can grind with and it spread to Japan

[@dr.quackenbacker5247]

Man, I really wonder what soap he uses

[@Interestingfeats21]

If buy a stick just for the history of the stuff and I love to color so it would be cool to have

[@Elizabeth912-v6o]

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

[@BigHushAffiliate]

It will all end one day. Everything you see and touch and smell and feel.

[@CyborgRowlet]

@@BigHushAffiliateDon't be such a nihilist.

[@heavy0119]

@@BigHushAffiliatewhile that may be true, viewing life as such is so very wasteful. Don’t let your life pass you by

[@BigHushAffiliate]

That’s your perspective.

[@heavy0119]

@@BigHushAffiliate give me one good reason why thinking this way is healthy or productive

[@DrJRaven]

Absolutely amazing

[@ernestcashion4462]

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.

[@GooglyEyedJoe]

Assuming they actually sell even half of that 6,000 very quickly, I'd be interested to see just how much of a demand there is for the supply that they claim. Because there are much cheaper alternatives for people who desperately need ink and there are a number of kobaien ink sticks vastly cheaper than these top-of-the-line $1,000 ones which I imagine are bought much more rarely than the cheap ones.

[@matthewcaimbeul8722]

@@GooglyEyedJoe - Oh it's rare to be bought. But as someone that owns one of these, every other ink stink feels awful. These are so smooth it feels like your brush has almost no friction between it and the paper. No grit or excessive bubbling either.

[@benshearin8514]

@@matthewcaimbeul8722I’m curious, what got you in to very high quality calligraphy? I’ve recently fallen down the fountain pen rabbit hole, so I can sympathize, but how does one start/become interested in it? It seems like a fairly inaccessible and unusual hobby. I have huge respect for the amazing artists though.

[@AdityaSingh-ds5si]

I hope this tradition never ends ❤

[@JibrilKaslana]

My reddit friend shown me this video now I keep coming back to it

[@AshenRJ]

The ink dough looks delectably chewable...

[@tilasole3252]

I'm from the Blackfoot tribe, but he REALLY has black foot 😮

[@fookingsog]

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

[@aaronmstevenson]

The sum is greater than the whole of its parts.

[@BLAZE-ek5kv]

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

[@Dark-12345-w]

So u r telling me that a 1000 year old man is making papers?😂😂😂😂😂

[@POPE_FRANC1S]

I really wanna eat it

[@joshuamurray5260]

This is kinda how we made tattoo ink in prison lol, but we used hair grease

[@sikhswim]

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

[@armoredman10]

Head home? He lives in the ink room

[@danielacarrero5758]

@@armoredman10😂

[@Elyciumbamzl]

No soap, if you are in this job you get everything in oil black, chop sticks, bed, clothes all black for ever

[@monalove7255]

AI cant duplicate this tradition.

[@h.huffen-puff4105]

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

[@HDTovez]

Idk but working in that room with 250 Oil Lamps sounds pretty unhealthy😅

[@safetyedge9229]

I wish i could ask the question did the glue ingredient change in the last 300 years? I was very surprised to see the use of beef as the glue.

[@pl3473]

Yea they did, back in tang dynasty they used deer antler glue, Japan didn’t have that at abundance so they have to change the glue to local types

[@emptyboxesandrooms]

Ah ok I thought I was on one of those Indian street food videos again

[@glocksp80smd]

Same way they make prison tattoo ink. Collect the burnt soot

[@fookingsog]

aka...."Carbon Black".

[@realmr-hyde]

The brand has beeen making it for 450. Not that one dude 😅

[@MrH2O1998]

It's expensive because you're paying for their health insurances.

[@macDaddy1118]

Other than hard labor none of the ingredients they work with are dangerous. And labor is expected to be hard in artisan crafts in Japan. People take pride in their work over there and they tend to live longer than most Americans.

[@MrH2O1998]

@@macDaddy1118 Soot causes a myriad of health issues. It can get into your eyes and lungs and can be absorbed through the skin. Respiratory problems, eye damage, skin infection and rash are known hazard when working around the substance. Report of cancer dates be in the late 1700s when chimney sweeps were regularly exposed soot (especially in children). Let's just say that it is a educated guess but working in a room full of oil lamps and catching smoke doesn't seem like a way to extend your life.

[@lowercaseWILL]

@@macDaddy1118 I’ve heard their McDonald’s burgers actually look like the ones in pictures! Pride in product & tradition for sure! Nonetheless, the soot production aspect cannot be good for respiratory system - they literally refer to the particulate matter as it collects as being extremely fine. Whatever isn’t collected will be airborne, especially in such a confined space.

[@OjoRojo40]

Yeah I prefer to call it exploitation :) @@macDaddy1118

[@DrN3xus]

2:42 Thought this dude had a wicked big nostril for a second

[@jons.4918]

5 bucks at hobby lobby

[@scottenosh4548]

The Japanese "British" accent always makes me smile for some reason. I dont why.

[@Serendipitous247]

I wish there was no Animal grains used...instead arabica gum for binding is better option

[@_Ekaros]

As long as they come from animal by products I don't think it is too big of an deal. And they might be actual reason for quality...

[@ShiroyamaHayashi]

Then it would not be traditional if they used Arabica gum

[@jonathangullett3143]

$50 says this wouldn’t stand a blind test

[@lowercaseWILL]

I appreciate the hard work and hands on, but at least kneading is deserving of a stand mixer with the hook attachment.

[@maggs131]

Tradition in Japan will not be broken for any reason least of all because something is difficult

[@mrdgenerate]

Also how they make tattoo ink in jail.. with soot and toothpaste lol or shampoo or something like that.

[@haikudragon1002]

Came here from the short

[@momofthemaos]

Put an Apple Watch on the ink kneading artisan! Bet he runs a half marathon at least a day. What craftsmanship. When things like this are gone, the world will deeply mourn 💔

[@g-page645]

Sad to see videos of skilled artisans have so little views whereas naked people get more views.

[@edenyorke234]

I wonder how much these "artisans" get paid for their work, considering the product sells for thousands of dollars. I bet they don't get $500 a day. I suppose artisan sounds more acceptable than slave labour.

[@lexuan0101]

thỏi mực tàu đắt nhất từng đc bán với giá 15,3tr usd (350 tỏi)=))

[@anujpradhan8741]

Is it water proof?

[@19881011lee]

Это из старый Китай!

[@Eza_yuta]

Just like Covid-19

[@sionantara370]

@@Eza_yuta blok

[@Eza_yuta]

@@sionantara370 Are you Covidian descent from Republik Rakyat Covid? Haiyyaa I like your national dessert bing chilling 🍦 but don't like your national meats🦇🐈🐕

[@sionantara370]

@@Eza_yuta Seethe

[@slifer0081]

Wow...

[@DesertWolfSurvival]

❤❤❤

[@khairulnaeim756]

This black should looks at this old 🦶...😂 very good..way to imagine...😂

[@stephanaeon]

So many complaining that this should be automated and that uts not worth it etc. Some people, like these artisans, learn for years to be able to do this as a career. Theyre artisans, not just workers. They take great pride in making the most high quality and traditionally hand made product they can. And obviously this isnt for your average consumer. The really high end ones are meant for other artisans, like artists and calligraphers. Not for someone learning or playing around. Theres hugh end versions of many things. Shoes, paint, phones, clothing, other art supplies, cars, etc. If it's not worth the price for you, maybe youre not their intended customers? Personally i think designer clothing, super high end makeup and some other things would be a waste of money, but I'm not who theyre targeting either. If someone us happy, taking pride in their craft and making a good living, leave them be. Theyre not hurting anyone.

[@BestMods168]

🤣

[@Rome_Recived]

Well said. There are so many illiterate people in this comment section barking over silly things and not understanding the value of what these people are doing.

[@Remixchannel-xv2nh]

Now we need paper that doesn't get soaken wet

[@jacktoddy9783]

As someone who uses Sumi ink and lives in Japan, this is video just a fraction of the Sumi ink story - not a good video in my opinion. Poorly researched with no proper understanding of the culture that lies behind the materials used in the craft of calligraphy along with the mind-set of the art related to advertising. The video was correct in parts, but these needed to be fleshed-out as they are crucial to how Japanese culture view the art of calligraphy.

[@pinkPinkBlissey242]

Do you know where I can find a proper video or article on sumi ink? I would appreciate it

[@armoredman10]

Maybe you could make that video

[@exxon5430]

I dont believe you guys go japan n film. Is it from NHK

[@aishwaryaraju921]

Boy am I glad technology can give me this with humane conditions and at a cheaper price…

[@ImperfectDionysus]

🍪

[@md-link6395]

Chinese ones thats better costs 1 dollar a piece for a stick or two bucks for five. This is about the dumbest shit Ive ever seen. If you buy liquid its even cheaper. I can't with this ridiculousness

[@loongson1]

the great learner of China

[@7zark785]

Almost as expensive as printer ink :)

[@sebastianstewart6894]

Wait isn't this nanotechnology of active carbon.

[@ninersnation3298]

5 years to train to make ink and 10 years to be allowed to make high quality ink!? No wonder it is dying out, these old people keep the lucrative money making secret to themselves.

[@FireSkittlez85]

I guess to you, that if anything is worth doing, you do it quickly and move on. The art of being a Master of Nothing is your repetiore

[@lewisfriend1705]

I can tell you how 85% of those ink makers will perish 😂

[@dxdx2806]

हमारे देश में काजल दिये से बनातें हैं हिंदी में भी डब करदो विडियो

[@toast1069]

Hopefully ink pens don't cost too much

[@MiceAl487]

What the hell is monkey glue

[@JohnBatman111]

Japanese, masters of overdoing stuff

[@llamamanguy]

Ikigai

[@awriter1950]

*Why those men were wise bcs the entire system cools down the psychology of human and allows to focus on work and today's system boils down and human mind*

[@clintparsons3989]

This is so woefully inefficient and hazardous to his health. You can work smart and not hard without sacrificing quality.

[@jacquiventurini7877]

Beautiful art, but this soot must be so harmful for these mens lungs.

[@richardsmith4783]

This woman presenter speaks very badly and does not pronounce her words well. Very unpleasant to listen to.

[@RobShaffer]

Cancer, anyone?

[@RosieNyan]

Leave it to Asians to over complicate simple things. That looks horrible btw.

[@ShiroyamaHayashi]

You do realize it's because of Asians also why there are improved inks that most of the people in the world use in ballpoint, rollerball and fountain pens?

[@animallover-dyutiindia]

Animal glue🥺🥺😡😡

[@ShiroyamaHayashi]

Nothing wrong with that

[@potaterjim]

This could be automated so easily...

[@michelle057]

My $9 ink does the same thing

[@ShiroyamaHayashi]

So?

[@wanderingnomad1]

Everything Japanese is unnecessarily expensive and over worked. No wonder it has the lowest productivity amongst developed states.

[@hyper-lethal-sigma3]

What a brilliant waste of time

[@LeviLikeTheJeans]

Seems like a massive waste of time to me

[@ImperfectDionysus]

🍪

[@ShiroyamaHayashi]

​@TripleKmafiaNah, far from it. Then the same thing could be said for buying a iPhone or Apple laptop or PC if we go with your logic.

[@solid5315]

Surely there is a cheaper more efficient way to make ink

[@billycrocker9626]

They could definitely mass produce this if they wanted

[@Pliko3]

It is mass produced these are artisan versions of the product

[@modstrom3502]

I would lose value. Art can't be made by massproducing it.

[@mate20x61]

this process of making ink using their feet as hands are not wise and no respect no matter how expensive is... it should use a mallet or a wooden stick to hammer and pound. hope people will not use this ink to write sutra....horrible....

[@RobShaffer]

This comment is unbelieveably ignorant.

[@ImperfectDionysus]

🍪

[@ShiroyamaHayashi]

That is very ignorant of you @mate20x61