[VILLAGE Report vol.19] 90% of Both Ink and Tea Whisks Nationwide | Nara Prefecture

Nara Prefecture’s national designations are Takayama tea whisks, Nara sumi ink, Nara brushes these 3 items.

The number is not large. But these 3 are all tools for “writing” and “whisking tea”.

Over 90% of sumi ink

Nara sumi ink is said to account for more than 90% of Japan’s sumi ink production according to estimates.

Its origins go back to the Muromachi period. oil-soot ink made at Nitai-bo in Kofuku-ji Temple It is said to trace back to this. Soot collected by burning rapeseed oil is kneaded with animal glue and fragrance.

Nara sumi ink was designated a national traditional craft in 2018. For a production area with a 90% share, that was a remarkably late designation.

Shimane’s tatara ironmaking itself has not been designated as a traditional craft item. I think designation is not proof of strength, but a record of it.

Almost all tea whisks

Takayama tea whisks are made in Takayama-cho, Ikoma City. Most domestic tea whisks come from this town.

It began in the middle of the Muromachi period. It is said to have begun when Sosei, the son of Takayama’s lord, made one at the request of tea master Murata Juko according to tradition.

A single piece of bamboo is split, shaved, and divided into inner and outer tines. Every step is done by hand.

And what especially stands out is that this technique was protected for a long time through one-to-one transmission from parent to child fact.

Tokushima protected indigo through “connection,” while Takayama protected its craft by “closing it off.” There is more than one way to protect something.

Brushes began with Kukai

Nara brushes The origins of Kobo Daishi Kukai bringing the production method back from Tang China and passing it on in Yamato Province is where they are said to lie.

Hiroshima’s Kumano brushes appeared in vol.10 of this series as “Japan’s top producer of makeup brushes.” For volume, Kumano. For beginnings, Nara. Even with the same brush, the axis of the story is different.

3 items, with two 90% shares

90% in sumi ink. Almost all in tea whisks.

A prefecture with only 3 items holds the tools of Japanese calligraphy and tea.

Kyoto is still ahead. Before that, the next issue takes us to Mie. “Sumi ink” appears there as well.

References: Nara Prefecture; Ikoma City; Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, “Designation of Traditional Crafts”; Association for the Promotion of Traditional Craft Industries

—The Value Village Editorial Team

Photo: D-Kuru / CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)