PIGMENT TOKYO, Art Materials Lab, to Launch Sale of Animal-free Inkstick and Graphite Inkstick, Creating a New Tradition

The graphite inksticks and animal-free inksticks being offered by PIGMENT TOKYO were developed by Kuretake Co..

Sumi ink is made by kneading soot derived from burned oil or wood with Nikawa (animal glue). Nikawa is an adhesive binder produced by boiling and cooling a concentrated liquid extracted from the skin, bones, and other parts of animals and fish, which is then dried into a jelly-like substance. Since ancient times, solid ink has been made using soot and animal glue. However, the recently introduced Kokuenboku and Mukouboku have new innovative characteristics: the graphite inksticks, which are made without soot, and the animal-free inksticks, which are made without animal glue.

During the research on the types of ink used in ancient times, inspiration was drawn from the “earth” element of the Chinese character for “ink,” and the graphite which is made of “earth” was chosen to develop new ink. Although both soot and graphite are carbon-based, graphite has a slightly dull black color with grayish tints compared to soot. The fruition of graphite black ink sticks came about due to a consumer’s query of whether there is any good way to use graphite powder since it scatters in the air.

Animal-free inksticks were created in response to requests from monks and others seeking an ink formulation that excludes animal-derived glue. Extensive research was conducted to identify glueless mediums that would fulfill specific criteria: keeping the Sumi ink color as black as possible, water-solubility, preventing damage to brushes and inkstones, and being safe for humans and the environment. As a result, a new product was developed that can be used like traditional ink sticks.

With its well-versed staff members in the field of art materials, PIGMENT TOKYO actively collaborates with manufacturers and companies to incorporate both traditional painting materials and cutting-edge materials. As the traditional art materials lab for creating the Now, we remain dedicated to exploring the innovative expressions of tradition.

– Product development process
https://pigment.tokyo/en/blogs/article/kuretake-new-inksticks