Vintage Calligraphy Stone - Japanese Suzuri with Case

Description

Vintage Japanese suzuri calligraphy stone. This wonderful old writing stone features a carved image of plum blossoms on the upper surface and a recessed inkwell. The maker of the stone deliberitely left areas at either end of the base unfinished in order to highlight the stone's original rough, natural surface. The stone includes a fitted wooden case. This old calligraphy stone has seen previous service (there is some dried ink in the basin and on the edges) yet today remains in very good condition and is ready for use in writing. The stone dates from the mid Japanese Showa period (1926-1989) or earlier. Please read below to learn more about Japanese calligraphy.

Size of stone:
Height: 0.6 inches (1.5 centimeters)
Length (at longest point): 4.6 inches (11.7 centimeters)
Width (across widest point): 2.5 inches (6.3 centimeters)
Weight of stone and case together: 13.4 ounces (384 grams)

Important Note:
Please be sure to note the shipping cost for this heavy ink stone.

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: R1S6-0005612
category code: (calligmono)
ship code: L1650

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• Vintage
• Calligraphy
• Stone
• Japanese
• Suzuri
• Tokaido
• Softypapa

[forkfour]

Do you have to use an ink stone to make ink?

[softypapa]

Hello gotrice15278, Thank you for your interest in this suzuri and case. I'm afraid that this item has indeed been sold. I'm sorry for any inconvenience or disappointment. Please let us know if you have any additional questions. -Kurt Bell

[gotrice15278]

is this item still for sale?

[Riker1982]

beautiful stone and decorated stick!!!