Kobaien Sumi Ink Stick Shop by Ichi Inc., Japan 日本Ichi公司 古梅园 墨条 古梅園 墨條

Welcome to Kobaien inkstick online store

We, ICHI Inc. Japan🇯🇵, are the authorized Japanese agency and distributor of Kobaien inksticks for the international market since 2015.

What is Kobaien inksticks?

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Art works by customers

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News

★New★ We have started selling Handmade Echizen Washi paper by Heizaburo Iwano Heizaburou Co.,Ltd., Japan.

February 20, 2025

★New★ We have started selling Handmade Echizen Washi paper by Heizaburo Iwano Heizaburou Co.,Ltd., Japan.

★New★Yoshino-ceder Narafude brush (The brush of peace and joy made of Yoshino ceder tree ) 吉野杉寧楽筆

January 11, 2025

★New★Yoshino-ceder Narafude brush (The brush of peace and joy made of Yoshino ceder tree ) 吉野杉寧楽筆

★New★ We have started selling Akashiya's brush with paint sets!

December 14, 2024

★New★ We have started selling Akashiya's brush with paint sets!

★New★ We have started selling Uda Gami Washi ( traditional Japanese paper ).

December 12, 2024

★New★ We have started selling Uda Gami Washi ( traditional Japanese paper ).

We were finally able to put together the materials for the Bokufu (a special set of Kobaien inksticks) using the materials we received from Kobaien.

November 15, 2024

We were finally able to put together the materials for the Bokufu (a special set of Kobaien inksticks) using the materials we received from Kobaien.

We are starting a service to issue free certificate of manufacture for the products you purchase from this online store.

November 2, 2024

We are starting a service to issue free certificate of manufacture for the products you purchase from this online store.

All News

Kobaien item category

Koukaboku inksticks

Color inksticks, inkpads, papers

Bluish black inksticks

Brownish black inksticks

Other various color inksticks

Superb quality inksticks

Liquid inks

Inksticks for large works

Pine soot inkstick

Rare glue inksticks

Inksticks for beginner practice

Kobaien's year selection

Antique inksticks

Gold leaf inksticks

Unique shape inksticks

Antique inkstones

Commemorative inksticks

Inkstones and brushes

Other Kobaien related goods

Uda Gami Washi ( traditional Japanese paper )

Brush with paint

All items

Chiyomi Tanaka's Brushes

Chiyomi Tanaka is a traditional brush artisan living in Nara, Japan. She handcrafts her brushes from natural materials. She carves the brush handle, attaches the bristles, and trims the brush to create a brush that is uniquely her own.

Read the story of Nara brushes and Chiyomi Tanaka

Chiyomi Tanaka's Brush category

Horse, horse blend and weasel brushes

Wool and wool blend brushes

Rare and unique brushes

Only one brush in stock

All brushes by Chiyomi Tanaka

Let customers speak for us

from 85 reviews

Shiro-mashi washi paper sized

This paper is extremely good for drawing of cat or animal with fur or feather
Like cats, dog and birds

The paper can give the fine line if using inks or colour when dry , in damp paper can give the soft texture of fur.

In this drawing, I also use the ink stick ( Toukaen Paulownia Oil ink stick ) mix either water colour . The colour of ink stick is good and easy to give good quality of ink when grinding .

Wong Man Yin Margaret

★Kobaien Sumi Ink Stick Shop by Ichi Inc., Japan

06/04/2025

so high quality

This （JUN KIN DEI TETSUBACHI ( PURE GOLD PAINT 古梅園純金泥鉄鉢 ) gold color is so high quality that it is mixed with HYAKUSEKI-KOUSHI INKSTICK and AKYOU SEIBOKU INKSTICK to paint the fish's head, so that the gold color can be seen faintly on the fish's head. The scales of the fish body are also mixed with SHOURAI INKSTICK (VIVID AND BEAUTIFUL BLUISH BLACK, INDIGO) to make it more natural and bright.

Eva Tsang

Jun Kin Dei Tetsubachi ( Pure gold paint 古梅園純金泥鉄鉢 )

05/16/2025

Very nice

This product is a very good combination of traditional Japanese elegance and art. It met my expectations. Also, when I opened the cargo, I was very happy with the origami bird that I saw.

İdil ULUSOY

5 star Koukaboku inkstick ( 五星紅花墨 )-

04/30/2025

Sakuragata inkstick ( Purple-Brownish black, さくら形 ) -

very high quality

İ.U.

Sakuragata inkstick ( Purple-Brownish black, さくら形 ) -

04/30/2025

very high quality

İ.U.

5 star Koukaboku inkstick ( 五星紅花墨 )-

04/30/2025

Modern Yuzen patten Origami paper ( 180pcs, 15cm x 15cm )

Beautiful paper, and it is perfect for oragami!

Ashley

Modern Yuzen patten Origami paper ( 180pcs, 15cm x 15cm )

04/04/2025

Koyubi ( 古隃麋 ) sumi ink stick - Koboku ( 古墨 Antique Inkstick ) -

Perfect

I'm using this ink stick for my calligraphy. Let me tell you how amazing it's. the colour and glossines is really nice and it's amazing for small work because the glossiness gives a really nice effect on the paper I use for my calligraphy

Fatima Alzaabi

Koyubi ( 古隃麋 ) sumi ink stick - Koboku ( 古墨 Antique Inkstick ) -

04/03/2025

Yuko inkstick ( Bluish black, Pine smoke, 幽香松煙墨 ) -

Really nice

I'm using this ink stick for my calligraphy. Let me tell you how amazing it's. The flow is really something else and it's really smooth. It's darkness and matte colour is on another level.
Thank you for providing this amazing piece of work.

Fatima Alzaabi

Yuko inkstick ( Bluish black, Pine smoke, 幽香松煙墨 ) -

04/03/2025

Gokujo-Kinshokaku inkstick ( Brownish black, Real gold leaf, 極上金松鶴 ) -

Beautiful ink, delivered with love :)

I was hugely excited to recieve this ink stick, and on opening the parcel was even more surpised find a beautiful origami crane nestled inside! The ink stick is simply stunning, and I can't wait to gift it to a good friend who is just starting out in calligraphy. I'm touched by the warm service by Inchi, and am grateful they have ensured this treausure arrived safe and well, despite travelling all the way to the UK. Thank you again!

Nathanial Kish

Gokujo-Kinshokaku inkstick ( Brownish black, Real gold leaf, 極上金松鶴 ) -

04/03/2025

Saibiboku ( The Inks of Color and Beauty, 彩美墨 ) -

The Saibiboku's shades are easily coordinated

I made this painting using the amazing Saibiboku ( The Inks of Color and Beauty) from Kobaien in Nara, Japan. I have made a collage with some coloured circles and the Kobaien set's swatches a the bottom.

I used mostly Saibiboku, except for the super-black spots and vivid yellow ones. The blacks as well as gold bits and small ornaments are made with Posca markers. Vivid yellow is a nickel azo gold, new watercolour shade by Roman Szmal. Saibiboku is made with Sumi ink, which results in more muted, darker colours - that is why I I did not use it for the vivid yellows as it would be too dark. As for the other colours, from Saibiboku, I can easily make them lighter by adding water, like some of the lilac and pink bits.

It is a Kandinski-inspired composition, I should say. At least it reminds me of! It was great fun for this small piece to be completed, for there is a lot of details with the intersections and so on. As you can see, the Saibiboku's shades are easily coordinated, and the palette is a joy to work with! Thanks for watching!

Andrea Marques

Saibiboku ( The Inks of Color and Beauty, 彩美墨 ) -

03/02/2025

Definitely be using Earth Paper again.

Kobaien Earth Paper has an interesting texture as you can feel the small amount of earth in it.

It does buckle/crease with too much moisture, so I dry mounted it onto a 300gsm card and then I was able to build up many layers of colour with fine edges.

With the moisture in each layer the paper would swell slightly, but then dry flat.

Working in this way I was able to obtain depth of colour and subtlety of shading.

I used Suibokugayou Aozumi ink, Saibiboku colours with the addition of gamboge yellow and white.

Now that the painting is framed the paper seems to glow - it is quite exquisite. It took me a little while to get used to it, but I will definitely be using Earth Paper again.

Arlo Mercia

Earth paper Gold / Silver ( 土紙 )-

02/07/2025

Yoshino-ceder Narafude( Horse tail, Goat, Japanese Tanuki racoon ) 吉野杉寧楽筆

Handcrafted with love and beauty! A work of art and performs beautifully!

We are over the moon with appreciation to Ichi Inc.Japan and their craftsmen. Thank you for your superior service and care with every order.

Kindest regards,

Kelly & Michael Pickering

Kelly Pickering

Yoshino-ceder Narafude( Horse tail, Goat, Japanese Tanuki racoon ) 吉野杉寧楽筆

01/31/2025

Safe delivery, lovely sincere note with the package. Beautiful high quality products! Will purchase again.

J.M.

Hourai inkstick ( Bluish black, 蓬莱 ) -

01/30/2025

Gen ( For Regular works, 玄墨汁墨液 ) Sumi liquid ink -

I'm amazed at the quality!

It's a very high quality ink that helps me to create great works of art. Very beautiful black colour and beautiful shades. Even when very thinned with water this ink is still very subtle.

Mindaugas

Gen ( For Regular works, 玄墨汁墨液 ) Sumi liquid ink -

01/16/2025

Akebi gray ( plant dye ) , 宇陀紙・あけび Uda Gami Washi ( traditional Japanese paper ) ( plant dye ) , Uda Gami Washi ( traditional Japanese paper )

Most Excellent

I am very pleased with the variety and selection of Uda Gami washi that I have received. The four color tones in my order: Akebi, Yomogi, Sakura, and Ai, are as pleasing to the eye as their texture. I feel honored to be a very small part of the tradition to which the Fukunishi family in Yoshino, Nara brings great honor.

Furthermore, my order was packaged with great care, and arrived safely and securely. The enclosed letter and handwritten remark brought a smile.

Ichi Inc. continues to impress.

Cliff Moraine

Akebi gray ( plant dye ) , 宇陀紙・あけび Uda Gami Washi ( traditional Japanese paper ) ( plant dye ) , Uda Gami Washi ( traditional Japanese paper )

01/15/2025

★Kobaien Sumi Ink Stick Shop by Ichi Inc., Japan

01 Soot gathering

02 Dissolving gelatin ( glue)

03 Kneading

04 Molding

05 Ash drying

06 Drying

07 Polishing

08 Coloring

09 Interior view

10 Exterior view

Welcome to Kobaien inkstick online store

Art works by customers

News

★New★ We have started selling Handmade Echizen Washi paper by Heizaburo Iwano Heizaburou Co.,Ltd., Japan.

★New★Yoshino-ceder Narafude brush (The brush of peace and joy made of Yoshino ceder tree ) 吉野杉寧楽筆

★New★ We have started selling Akashiya's brush with paint sets!

★New★ We have started selling Uda Gami Washi ( traditional Japanese paper ).

We were finally able to put together the materials for the Bokufu (a special set of Kobaien inksticks) using the materials we received from Kobaien.

We are starting a service to issue free certificate of manufacture for the products you purchase from this online store.

Kobaien item category

Koukaboku inksticks

Color inksticks, inkpads, papers

Bluish black inksticks

Brownish black inksticks

Other various color inksticks

Superb quality inksticks

Liquid inks

Inksticks for large works

Pine soot inkstick

Rare glue inksticks

Inksticks for beginner practice

Kobaien's year selection

Antique inksticks

Gold leaf inksticks

Unique shape inksticks

Antique inkstones

Commemorative inksticks

Inkstones and brushes

Other Kobaien related goods

Uda Gami Washi ( traditional Japanese paper )

Brush with paint

All items

Chiyomi Tanaka's Brushes

Chiyomi Tanaka's Brush category

Horse, horse blend and weasel brushes

Wool and wool blend brushes

Rare and unique brushes

Only one brush in stock

All brushes by Chiyomi Tanaka

Let customers speak for us

Let customers speak for us