Tessai's inkstick*: Professional grade(Tung Oil Soot 101). Size 3 5/8" x 15/16" x 7/16"; Color: Black. 

Tessai's inkstick by Hu Kaiwen is the best brand name in China. It is designed to grind ink on an inkstone(sold separately).

Chinese ink was traditionally made into solid ink sticks for easy to carry and storage. The ink was then ground on an inkstone to mix with water for use. The character in Chinese for ink, "mo", is a combination of two radicals, "hei" or black, and "t'u" which means dirt or earth. The chief ingredients of a high-quality ink are tung oil soot,  scents, and a binding agent. The tung oil is made from the nuts of the tung tree. It does not fade to the extent that western ink does when exposed to light and ancient pictures and calligraphy still retain their resilience after centuries.

Comparing to bottled ready-to-use inks, hand-ground inks give richer and finer tones. This well treated ink stick can last for long time for moderate uses. 

Tips on usage: 

1. Water was usually kept in a ceramic container and sprinkled on the inkstone. Use one end of the ink stone to grind in circular movement with a small amount of water. It's ready to use when the ink becomes very thick and dark. Don't use half ground ink. If gray tone is needed, add water to dilute it. 
2. Washout any left over ink; using overnight ink will produce inferior tones.
3. Do not leave moisture on the Sumi stick. Wipe it immediately with a piece of rice paper or tissue and let it air dry after each use.
4. Store the sticks in a dry place and avoid direct sunlight and draft. This  high-grade ink stick comes with a storage box made of the tung wood.

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$36.00

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