ALEXCIOUS

Traditional crafts that represent Japan

The best gem by traditional craftsmen

They have worked as ink stone craftsmen since 1948, and their ink stones are a Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry designated Traditional Craftwork. The stones' surface is smooth, and maintains the moisture of the ink, allowing for the creation of beautiful blacks.

600 years of history

The Ogatsu stones used in Ogatsu ink stones are a specialty of Ogatsu-cho, in Miyagi prefecture. Their special characteristics are their pure black color, high strength, low permeability, and long-lived durability. Leveraging those qualities, they have been used as the raw materials for ink stones since ancient times. The history of Ogatsu ink stones extends back to the Muromachi period. It is said that they were presented to and praised by the first lord of the Sendai Domain, Masamune Date. Additionally, the second lord, Tadamune Date, admired the skills of the Ogatsu ink stone craftsmen, employing them to work exclusively for the Date clan. He apparently also placed the mountain where the stones were mined under control of the Domain, forbidding normal mining operations. Ogatsu ink stones, with their high quality stone and traditional manufacturing, are the representative Japanese ink stone, accounting for 90% of Japan's ink stone production.

Calligraphy inkstone exquisitely carved with a majestic hawk

The highest grade natural stone provides this calligraphy inkstone with a superior inkstick rubbing surface ornamented with an exquisitely engraved figure of a majestic hawk around the inkstone head.