Antique Japanese Writing Set - Yatate Portable Case

Description

Antique Japanese writing case (yatate) featuring integrated brush case and inkwell (sumi tsubo). This calligraphy tool dates from the late 19th or early 20th century and was designed to be carried at the waist tucked into the owner's kimono obi (sash used to secure the kimono at the waist). To use the writing kit the owner would lift the inkwell lid in order to access the brush (not included) which is carried in the tube-like shaft. The ink well was designed to hold ink-saturated cotton which prevented the ink from spilling. This old writing case is in poor condition having suffered much wear from use and age. The copper case and brush shaft are dented and discolored. The inkwell lid opens easily yet the lid does not close completely. Please read below to learn more about Japanese calligraphy.

Size:
Height: 1.4 inches (3.5 centimeters)
Length: 8.0 inches (20.5 centimeters)
Width of ink basin: 1.4 inches (3.7 centimeters)
Weight: 4.6 ounces (130 grams)

More about Japanese Calligraphy

Good penmanship as well as talent with a writing brush were skills more valued in the past, before typewriters, word processors and email largely removed the visual element of style from our writing. Brush and ink were the most common writing tools in Asia before the start of the 20th century, and a writer's artistry was to a large extent measured as much by the beauty of the characters he created as the meaning they were meant to communicate. The most basic tools of calligraphy include a brush (fude in Japanese), inkstone (suzuri), ink stick (sumi) and water dropper (suiteki). Additional tools exist though these are the most essential. During the late Heian period (794-1185) the standard writing box (suzuribako) was introduced into Japan from China where it became an essential tool of Japanese business and domestic life. Writing boxes typically contain all of the tools listed above plus others, and in the past were produced in many forms including simple utilitarian models for shopkeepers, elegant versions for display in the home and even portable kits one could easily carry on their person. Though few modern Japanese ever use a brush and ink outside a classroom, as a culture they nevertheless continue to appreciate the beauty and artistry of writing produced by a talented calligrapher.

item code: R1S4-0005583
category code: (calligmono)
ship code: L1650

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• Antique
• Japanese
• Writing
• Set
• Yatate
• Portable
• Case
• Tokaido
• Softypapa

[Lekaloy]

Hi, I have a black turtle ink well and wondered if you have any info or prices on them?

[lakenewell]

Are you sure the ink compartment contains cotton? Traditional Japanese carpenters use a wad of silk fiber in their "sumitsubo," the ink line device that is used as a chalk line is used elsewhere? It can be purchased from Hida Tool Co., Berkeley, CA . You would need to wash some fibers and examine them with a microscope to tell the difference.

[lakenewell]

Are you sure the ink compartment has cotton? Japanese carpenters used/use a wad of silk fiber in their "sumitsubo," the ink line device that was/is used as a chalk line is used elsewhere? It can be purchased from Hida Tool Co., Berkeley, CA