Founded in 1577, Kobaien is Japan\u2019s oldest manufacturer of sumi ink sticks. Japan is considered to have learned the art of sumi ink stick making from Donchou, a monk from Gogurye. Sumi ink sticks came to be manufactured in Nara when the first sumi ink stick was created in Koufukuji Temple in Nara around the year 1400.<\/p>\n
In 1739, the sixth-generation head of Kobaien, Matsui Motoyasu, had the opportunity to interact with sumi ink stick manufacturers from the Qing dynasty in Nagasaki concerning sumi ink stick production methods. He learned a great deal from the manufacturers and came to produce a fine sumi ink of an even higher quality.<\/p>\n
For over the 400 years since then, Kobaien has devoted itself untiringly to the making of sumi ink sticks. We at Ichi Inc.,<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0are \u00a0pleased to be able to assist in introducing ink sticks by Kobaien, – which are an example of this wonderful Japanese traditional cultural artefact – to people all around the world as the Japanese authorized dealer of Kobaien<\/strong>.<\/p>\n <\/i> Our online shop of Kobaien Sumi Ink Sticks <\/i> >><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n More about Kobaien and Sumi Ink sticks >><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n The following items are samples. <\/i> Please kindly contact us at Ichi Inc., <\/strong><\/a>if you are interested in Kobaien\u2019s sumi ink stick products. We accept different types of orders, from orders for personal use to those for wholesale purposes. We trade both within in Japan and internationally.<\/p>\n <\/p>\nKobaien\u2019s Sumi Ink Stick production method<\/h2>\n\n
Product Gallery<\/h2>\n