Bokufu 1997 - Kobaien's special sumi inkstick year selection ( 古梅園墨譜1997・平成9 )

From 1993 to 2012, Kobaien released a special edition inkstick set called “Bokufu (記念目録, memorial catalog of inksticks)” to commemorate the long tradition of making inksticks that has continued for over 400 years.

With special permission, ICHI Inc. is now able to sell these Bokufu inkstick sets, which are not currently available in stores. These are more for gifting or as an investment than for practical use.

This is the year 1997 edition.

At Kobaien, the sixth-generation successor Gentai Matsui once made inksticks from old pine trees that had lived for over 1000 years in the Kumano region of Japan, and presented them to the emperor around 1711 AD. 

The set of inksticks was named “Osumikishiki ( Inkstick set for the Emperor ) ”. This 1997 special inkstick set from Kobaien is a copy of the design of the memorable inkstick set.

This special inkstick set comes with a certificate of authenticity for Kobaien products issued by Ichi inc. The following is a sample of the certificate.

The actual document will include the date, number and company seal.

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Contents Description

Houzankou
（豊山香）

The meaning of the name of the inkstick:
"The fragrance of the ume ( Japanese plum flower )  is as rich as a mountain. From a waka poem by Ki no Tsurayuki about the ume blossoms."
Width: 34.2 mm Length: 131.4 mm Thickness: 15 mm Weight: 86 grams
This is an inkstick plated with pure gold.

Enki
（延喜）

The meaning of the name of the inkstick:
"May happiness last forever"
Width: 30 mm Length: 112.5 mm Thickness: 13.5 mm Weight: 56 grams

Kichiku
（淇竹）

The meaning of the name of the inkstick:
"Bamboo along the Qu Sui River."
Width: 26.4 mm Length: 106.8 mm Thickness: 13.3 mm Weight: 48 grams

Ryu
（龍）

The meaning of the name of the inkstick:
"Dragon"
Width: 35.6 mm Length: 92.3 mm Thickness: 8.6 mm Weight: 33 grams

Shinra
（新羅）

The meaning of the name of the inkstick:
"The country of Silla"
Width: 27.6 mm Length: 148 mm Thickness: 12.4 mm Weight: 51 grams

Box Size: Width: 310 mm Length: 195 mm Thickness: 40 mm Weight: 754 grams

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The designs of the ink sticks introduced below are taken from old documents related to the production of ink that have been passed down through the generations at Kobaien. Some of the designs are more recent.

**For a detailed description of the included ink, please contact us.