Ogatsu Inkstone

雄勝硯

Photo from Japan Traditional Crafts Aoyama Square

Historical Background

Characteristics

Historical Background

Ogatsu Inkstones, known as Ogatsu Suzuri (雄勝硯), have been crafted for over 600 years in Ogatsu, a coastal village located in Ishinomaki City, Miyagi Prefecture. These stones are made especially for grinding ink sticks down into a usable liquid for calligraphy and painting. The origin of this craft is dated back to the Muromachi period, sometime between 1392-1573. The inkstone itself is made from Ogatsu slate (玄昌石 / genshōseki), a fine black sedimentary rock that was discovered in this region.

Originally, these inkstones were prized by samurai and scholars, and they became widely used during the Edo period. Their prominence was largely attributed to Date Masamune, a military commander in the late 17th century, and his son, Tadamune, who ordered the region's craftsmen to create inkstones for the Date clan after recognizing the skills of the craftsmen. He also designated the quarry that produced the stones for the craft as The inkstones' durability and beauty made them a favorite tool for calligraphers across Japan.

Despite being heavily damaged by the 2011 Tōhoku Earthquake and Tsunami, the Ogatsu craft community has worked hard to recover and preserve this important cultural tradition.

Characteristics

Carved from solid Ogatsu slate, these inkstones have a smooth surface, a black or deep indigo color, are elegant and strong, with a beautiful luster. The natural grains of the stone are visible with a polished surface for smooth ink grinding. Each stone is unique as they are handcrafted and the craftsmen often work with the stones to bring out the best of them. Some inkstones are exquisitely carved with ornate designs while others might be left rather simple and reflective of the natural state the stones were in when quarried. Either way, each piece is both a functional calligraphy tool and a collector's piece that can last for generations with proper care.

Production Process

The basic process for the creation of this tangible, usable art is easily described in 6 steps.

Cutting and smoothing the stone - Stones are quarried and cut down to the general size of the future inkstone it will become, then it is smoothed a bit for easier handling.
Rough carving - A basic outline is given for the ink pool in line with the finished edge. decorative carvings or engravings are added after the rough carving.
Carving the ink pool - Exactly what it sounds like, this step focuses on fully carving out a gently sloping area with a deeper section for the ink to pool when ink sticks are ground down with water to make a usable ink.
Polishing - This step focuses on finalizing the shape of the stone and smoothing the surfaces using different materials and techniques.
Leveling the bottom - The bottom of the stone is leveled and smoothed to ensure a stable surface for the easiest use.
Finishing - The last step can be done in several ways. Applying a high-gloss Japanese lacquer and leaving it at that. The second is to apply the laquer then fire the stone to give it a matte finish. The third is to apply an ink finish instead of a gloss lacquer. All three methods appeal to different personal tastes and increase the durability of the inkstone.

Current Activities

Craft Shows & Exhibitions: Traditional crafts festivals in Tokyo and Tohoku often feature Ogatsu inkstones.

Stationery Specialty Stores: Some premium calligraphy shops in Japan carry them. You can also buy them online.

You can also try you hand at making your own ink stone crafts by carving pictures or words into the stone.

Visit Ogatsu in Ishinomaki, where you can meet artisans, explore Ogatsu Suzuri Center, and even try grinding ink yourself.

You can read about master artisan Ichio Endo, who continues the legacy with incredible dedication.

Screenshots by Vanessa Hairston

Fun Facts

Ogatsu stone is not only used as material for inkstones but also as roof and wall materials due to it's durability and as tableware as decorative and practical artworks. As dishes, they are well known for their uniformity and luster while also having exceptional thermoregulatory capabilities.

There has been a bit of a resurgence and shift in style of carving inkstones, taking on a more contemporary design in some spheres.

These inkstones have even come second in the top 10 rankings of traditional Japanese stationery by Kogei Japonica!

Image of contemporary style inkstones from penccil.com

Auto generated Japanese subtitles only with auto translated English subtitles.

Summary: This is a documentary-style video following the story of Ogatsu after the 2011 disaster depicting how artisans are reviving their local heritage. You can see close-ups of tools, stone carving, and artisan interviews. This video focuses on emotion and regional pride.

Auto generated Japanese subtitles only with auto translated English subtitles.

Summary: This video begins with a brief overview of various places following the 2011 disaster and talks about the damage sustained by the once-renowned inkstone-producing region. Gives a look at the inkstone creation process from the quarry to the crafter. Contrasts old footage with new, revitalized workshops as masters return to resume their art.

Auto generated Japanese subtitles only with auto translated English subtitles.

Summary: This ASMR adjacent video shows the traditional carving, polishing, and engraving techniques used by master artisans. Watch the process of a master turning a raw slate into a smooth and glossy inkstone.

Direct Voice

"It was fascinating for me to learn about this craft, specifically how it started and the efforts being made to preserve this craft despite the regional devastation sustained. Watching the process and seeing how these artisans make their difficult craft look easy was a delight and listening to their thoughts on the craft was enlightening."

~Vanessa Hairston