About Suzuka inksticks

The history of Suzuka inkstick dates back to about 1,200 years ago. Those inksticks were made by adding animal glue to the lampblack made by burning pine trees harvested from the mountains in Suzuka, Mie Prefecture. In the Edo period (1603-1868), the demand for high-quality inksticks increased due to the expansion of their usage, including for writing feudal lords’ family crests, for dyeing formal dresses, and for studying at temple schools called Terakoya. As a result, Suzuka inkstick production flourished too.
●Designated as a Traditional Craft of Japan in 1980