Rectangular, black ink stick wrapped in white paper A smooth, hard black block is wrapped in white paper which is glued along a seam at the back, leaving the two ends of the ink stick exposed. On the paper is printed a red drum shape at the bottom with a wand going through it (fukuzutsumi) which is related to magic wand symbolism. This black ink is referred to as "sumi", or Chinese black ink, and is traditionally formed by combining soot with fish oil. The ink stick is ground on an ink stone and water is added to create a watercolor pigment.

1997.052.023