His parents practiced and perfected the technique of making babies for centuries. After 300 years of relentless and painstaking efforts, the Kobayen guy was born with a life expectancy of a few thousand years. He is just a 2 year old in ‘normal human’ terms.
I mean, they are big businesses in the art Industry. As long as old rich men in that country love calligraphy they would survive. I'm not sure whether the younger generation of Japan would have the same appreciation as their old one..
Japan's murder rate is lowest in the planet. They have the art of being at peace because even doing seemingly mundane things like writing or brewing tea is ritualized for them.
Remember that the Lord Jesus Christ died on a cross for you because He loves you so much. He then rose up from the dead three days later. The Ten Commandments are called the moral law, (most of us are lying thieving blasphemous adulterer at heart and deserve hell) you and I broke the law, Jesus paid the fine. That’s what happened on that cross. By believing that Jesus died on the cross and rose up from the dead 3 days later and not just confessing your sin, but also repenting of all sin you have done and putting all your trust in Him in prayer, He will grant you everlasting life as a free gift
My aunt was an accomplished calligrapher and I spent hours by her side when I was a child grinding huge 100yr old inksticks like ones shown on the video on 500yr old inkstones. It was a huge honor to be given the task as all my relatives were intensely jealous of me and nearly half a century later I have only begun to understand the extent of how meaningful it was. The aroma which filled the room is forever engraved into my being for life. It truly was a zen experience that cannot be fully described nor explained by my limited mind.
@redrustyhill2 Not at all in any capacity. If anything it has humbled me for life as i could never achieve anything near it. I am truly sorry if that was all you got out of it.
Redrustyhill2's grandparents probably had him brewing moonshine, or more likely he never knew his grandparents and grew up playing video games and watching tv which has made him bitter.
@geigertec5921 and you are definitely wrong on everything you said. My grandparents didn't even drink alcohol, i saw them every week, i never had video games, we didn't even have a TV and i never even owned one until i was 25 or 26. Only an imbicel gets triggered by a simple question asked to someone else
I love the recognition of these people as artisans in this video. Often times production videos like this underappreciate the labor that goes into making these products.
Actually videos like these recognize those people. It's mostly like "How it's made" type of videos that overlook it and just show the process and tell the process reasons.
"Even if it causes us to lose money, I believe continuing this process is our company's highest priority." There's something so beautiful about that kind of passion and care for your craft. There's so much love there in that sentence, almost as if the art and the ink was a living and breathing person.
No shareholders helps a bunch. A bunch of my friends are small business owners here in Tokyo, and while profit is necessary to keep the company running, they all agree that it is the quality of the product that keeps the customers rolling in and that expansion for the sake of increasing profit will lead to a loss of the original focus that made the company successful in the first place.
also making more would devalue the product. Like how diamonds are kept in artificially low supply to keep their value up as 'rare'. Diamonds aren't really that rare at all
In the 500-year history of Kobaien's ink production, Japanese society has gone through very significant social changes, from the feudalistic system of the samurai to the great reforms in Meiji era, World War I and World War II. The story of sumi ink manufacturing and their philosophy of craftsmanship that has been preserved in such circumstances is very interesting and valuable. Everyone is welcome to visit the Koubaien in Nara. We, Ichi inc, Japan, have been sending out information about Kobaien's ink production for several years now. We are very happy to have been featured in this way.
its the necessity. Someone figured out that charcoal is a good way to make make marks.. then someone experimented and found better ways based on the needs that arised from every new version... as the needs changed (needs to work best on rice paper..) new innovations were developed. The monarchy and leaders of each region probably demanded that certain artisans spend their days figuring it out.. they had the same brains as we do today. Through observation and experimentation and through cross pollination of knowledge from the other developing fields like agriculture understanding of the materials evolved. what is fascinating is that some places still prefer to make things an old fashioned way when modern understanding of molecular science could probably replicate the process with chemicals and machinery and could bring the production time down to weeks instead of years.
Yet here we are hating on one another letting the. Government do as they will. Come on folks let's set aside the differences and look. At what we are surrendering to these "people"
I so admire the Japanese culture for their attention to detail, dedication to craftsmanship, and honorable approach to life and business. When the man said he would rather focus on quality and tradition even if it will cause them to lose money my desire to visit Japan doubled!
I've had the privilege of working with high quality sumi ink stones before and it truly is an experience that cannot be easily put into words if you are a calligraphy lover/practice calligraphy, love traditional Japanese traditions, love art, or love ink. There honestly isn't anything comparable with the whole process of rubbing an ink stick on the ink stone and the feeling of calm and transcendence while working with the materials.
Having worked with these, can you actually smell the perfume used in the glue when you use the actual ink? Or is it a ceremonial thing they just experience when making the glue
I can relate. I have taken Shuuji lessons in Japan and grinding the solid ink onto the stone felt so satisfying; the sound, the chalky grinding feeling, and the silence of the room. It really was something else.
@@himynameisjeff I've used high quality ink sticks before. The perfume smell comes out as you grind the ink. All med-high grade inksticks do this. You can also tell the difference between a med grade ink stick from a higher end one from the smell apart from the blackness. The fragrant smell in lower grade ones hits you quite hard. The smell in the really high grade ones come out slow and what's even more special is that the smell is entwined with the soot- so you get a fragrant smell with a tint of firewood smell. Its truly wonderful. These high grade inksticks cost ~$120 usd for just 22.5 g.
At the expense of health. There is no way the guy stomping on the ink, or the guy breathing in all that smoke, doesn't die from cancer within the next five years.
I agree even if ppl think following traditions is conservative I find it BEAUTIFUL. It's so sad that people like them are working so hard for integrity but today's generation is way to busy on wasting time
@@peace_Palestine20 Maybe because most traditions are not related to craftsmanship but rather mutilating women (India), physically and mentally abusing your children so they "perform" (China) or how to "eat properly". Yeah. Following traditions is nonsense and outdated. I´d rather have not a single tradition left, rather than having those degenerated and outdated believes. Rarely is a tradition really worthwhile. Many of them are disgusting. Some of them are "beautiful" and result in great.
I love the fact that the CEO of this company is not driven exclusively by profit. That the Product and the Process are so important to him is awesome and a wonderful thing. The staff have such awful dirty jobs but they are performed with pride. I hope this company stays viable for many more years to come. 450 years. Incredible.
"not driven exclusively by profit." Sooo, 6000 of the 1000 dollar sticks a month, 72 million dollars a year, with like 10 people. Either those people are damn rich or the CEO is making plenty profit.
@@pikekeke If you would watch the video you could understand *some* of the daily labor that goes into these sticks. If the guy wanted to maximize profits he could probably mechanize some of this process, or use replacement chemicals (like finely ground charcoal or synthetic fragrances). If there is one thing to truly respect about the Japanese culture is their respect to a living wage in traditional occupations. Look at their designer fruit market. The amount of care into *one* strawberry, or cantaloupe is incredible. What is more incredible is the society that shows that such activities are rewarded.
@@Giganfan2k1 I can see a ton of labour goes in to these sticks. However, they say that of just the $1000 sticks they make 6000 every month using a "handful" of "artisans". So where does all that money go?
@@pikekeke Have you ever looked at the wage brake down of Japanese worker? The guys making the wicks are probably getting paid more than a X-ray tech. The company itself is probably a family business... Which if it is doing it for 450 years. That checks. The financial outlook is generational, not quarterly.
One thing I absolutely love about Japanese people is that whatever they do they do it with absolute passion, their love for their work is just wonderful no wonder they are far ahead of us .
You'll hear europeans making expensive wine or perfume having the same attitude as these sumi ink stick makers, it's just what rich Japanese people do on their free time. That's their target audience.
They have love for their work because Japan actually cares about artisanship. Like, these small woodwork shops or tailors or cobblers can afford to have a small but comfortable shop where they both work and live, and their service provides them with a stable and valid income. The issue with many western states is that their governments simply don't care to support that kind of lifestyle. They are bought out by major companies like Amazon who produce cheap goods. And people would rather buy those cheap goods because they don't have the money to go hunting for a store that specializes in what they're looking for. example: they would rather go buy furniture at an ikea because it's cheap, even though they're flimsy. while a carpenter would produce something that lasts longer and has actual years of experience behind it. it's a personal item, you learn more about the artisan behind it. but because it's more expensive (and the economy is awful right now for the working class), they're stuck buying cheap garbage. and then the artisan goes out of business and we lose just a bit more tradition.
I'm a carpenter in Germany and it makes me sad sometimes when I see our workshops being turned into CNC farms. Traditional craftsmanship is dying and everything ends up looking the same. Those micro imperfections are lost and things end up looking and feeling sterile and lifeless.
Idk. Handmade craftsmanship is good for rich people. I cant even afford a house, so I dont feel regret if old tech gets thrown away in order to make way to something affordable.
@@heyhoe168 true but generally the affordable stuff doesn't last and you end up buying things twice. I'd rather have less but what I have is quality and lasts forever.
@@waynebimmel6784 The people of the past have built things that will outlast things built now. I'm not saying machines are bad, but when everything is left to machines things become sterile. I see it.
I completely agree. It feels like everything in our world has become so cheap and mass produced. I wish there were more things of quality and craftsmanship like this.
Mad respect for the boss to priorize the quality over efficiency even if it makes them lose some money. I would love to have companies like that in my country, would buy from them allways-
The company featured in the video admitted they are losing money (not profitable), and if you used these as inputs into your own manufacturing the high costs for the bars would make your company unprofitable too. These handmade bars should be considered "art" and collected as such: driving up the selling price for the bars and hopefully allowing the company to regain profitability so it can continue for another 450 years.
Most countries it wont happen anymore. The rules of sustainable things make it hard. If you see all the traditional things shown in Insider are mostly from Asian countries. Even Italians are struggling now to keep up. Its sad what my generation is doing. We all know that NGO's (not all) are run by many jobless people who are funded by countries such as china, south korea so most countries cannot manufacture their goods and depend on these countries. People are going and destroying paintings, so you think the ink will remain?
How is he losing money? He controls the supply of artisan ink, it would be pointless to produce more and sell it for less. Boss man ain't stupid but he surely knows how to sell a story to the very naive.
I just love the idea of craftmanship and dedication japanese people have and how everything is related in their economy. They've built an entire industry around ink sticks, making them extremely valuable thanks to their skills and in turn japanese caligraphers and artists produce also high value art that is regarded worldwide. Such an example of a hard working economy based on real value and not just profit and speculation.
Actually their economy is failing partialy because using 10th century methods in 2023 is terrible idea. If anyone else did it you would clearly see how stupid it is but Japanese somehow managed to bamboozle bunch of westerners into worshipping them.
I first encountered this while staying at a friend's grandparent's home in Nara for new years in 2003. The family had no interest in Grandpa's art or keeping with the traditions. The grandfather taught me a bit but I was utter rubbish at creating art like he did. I ended up taking home many pieces from his collection that I still maintain and display 20 years later.
I’ve loved ink sticks ever since I was a kid and got a cheap ink stick set from a museum. As an artist I really appreciate the control I have over the pigment and it’s such a satisfying process
We've seen why the brushes are so expensive, now we are seeing why the ink is so expensive... when are we gonna see why japanese calligraphy paper is so expensive?
I saw a video on the calligraphy paper here on YT (can't remember title) but it too is all handmade with carefully curated materials by a diminishing number of masters and apprentices.
Yes, it is a long process. But this is one of the reasons their country has managed to keep ancient crafts and techniques alive. So much of preserved heritage.
It's amazing how they put so much care into their work and how they always aim for quality above all else. I also love how they are very technologically advanced as a country but are still able to keep their traditional techniques alive.
@@jake9854 I know next to nothing about Japanese traditions, but if they're getting sold, I don't think we can really say they're useless. For one, I and a few people I know treat writing and drawing as some sort of self-therapy.
Old school traditional crafts and the materials to make them are always very expensive in every culture.... more so in a society such as Japan that embraces its traditions. Unfortunately in time these crafts... and craftsmen will die out. Thank you as always for sharing and memorializing such incredible crafts.
Meanwhile in other places. People learn to make the stuff without all the 'embracing of traditions' nonsense that takes so many years and is off-putting and the product is still being made....
@@ossie1129 Embracing tradition is one of those feel good ideas to people with no understanding of manufacturing. If we still followed traditional manufacturing, we’d have government agents going around Britain collecting urine for use in gunpowder to support Ukraine (genuine historical requirement of gunpowder). Just because a human made something does not mean it’s better quality
@@chrissmith3587 thankgod common sense, like this is cool and all but pretty pointless and efficient, not to mention theres better materials for most things available thesedays
That was a much more complex and intense process than I thought it would take to make ink. A lot of respect for the sumi ink craftsmen who keep this tradition alive.
The paper on traditional doors actually gets replaced somewhat frequently since they’re more susceptible to damage from the elements, so there’s no real reason to use colored paper. The white also lets light filter in better. It’s why when you see a lot of traditional buildings you don’t really see windows
The depth of craftsmanship is palpable in this video. So is the beauty of the final product. Please consider making a video about the creation of Japanese incense. It's an art in itself, too. There are some rare types of aloeswood incenses that go for well over $1000 a box.
I miss Japan so bad. I was station at Atsugi in Yamato. Definitely one of the best times in my life. One statement in the video, he says, even if we loose money that’s okay as long as our product doesn’t loose quality. Not a lot of those people left in the world.
I felt a sense of solemn joy and appreciation from the calligrapher using the ink. Like he loved and appreciated every minute that lead up to him using the ink. Beautifully captured in your video, this was amazing. Thank you.
We were living for a very short time in an era of information. Now we're moving to an era of AI. We need to treasure and cherish artistry like this because this is literally all that is left.
I think we will return to crafts because we enjoy the process. We recently started with pottery, it’s quite a complicated rabbit hole. You don’t do that because it’s efficient but it’s satisfying to build lasting things by hand. AI and robotics will be able to take care of all our needs pretty soon. We will be left with gaming and crafts.
What do you mean? Highly automated factories exist and aren't going anywhere. Once long ago the techniques here were the best way to make good ink. Nowadays it's a luxury product. Given any clear measurable quality, like darkness, industrial chemists will beat the pants of old timey artisanal processes.
What do you mean, this would stay in those countries and many other countries, especially poor countries where things are done by hand. AI would be exclusive to the west lol.
They ain't dying out They just ain't record anymore because there is not big interest in them. Search in small places, explore, go off the grid as they, and you'll find thousand of communities with very well preserved secrets that have never seen the spotlight. I know I have, so I'm sure you can too.
warms your heart? did you miss the part where they said MONKEY GLUE, and the part where the soot harvesting job is done with no gas mask or even dust mask?
It is amazing to see that almost same method is used to traditionally prepare kohl or kajal in India. Ghee filled lamps are lighted and the soot is collected on copper or silver lids, then some ayurvedic oils and pure edible camphor is used to enrich the soot. This paste is then called as 'kajal', which is used as an eyeliner. It is said to protect the eye sight, reduce the eye strain & beautify the eyes.
Japan is just something special. They beautifully balance the material life with the spiritual and consider the wellness of the mind, body and spirit in all that they do. Something like ink making in the West would simply be about all the material aspects and profit, and literally no one cares if it “calms your mind” or not. But for Japan, the mind and spirit is considered in even the making of the ink and using it. Perhaps the respect which goes into it boosts the value of the art more than just the material value of ingredients. It’s lovely.
Westerners simply prefer liquid ink because people usually used quills and later fountain pens, not brushes which I assume need a higher viscosity. The rituals around it are always obviously made up.
"the same way businesses are created through the pen is the same way you need ink to sign your cheques". quote written by a financial Advisor (Nicholas Deniehy )
Tbh we all do need a financial Advisor who would guild us through our time when trading seeing a lot about a success of Nicholas Deniehy helping people to reach there goal financially , all i can say is that i would love to give him a try and see where it leads
omg im still working with his and he has thought me many things and put me on a portfolio that's dropping a margin of profit, Nicholas is the real deal .
This was an absolute joy to watch, the sticks where beautiful by themselves, but the process of making them was astonishing. I just loved every part of this video, very relaxing 🙏
This is some of what you get when you preserve tradition and culture; the best of the old and the best of the new. Japan: cutting edge and old-fashioned at the same time. Highly informative and interesting video. Thank you.
Seeing the methods and mastery of this stuff is art itself. When I was in Venice I remember buying some leather-bound journals at a book-binding store. You just don't see quality, hand-made stuff like you used to. There's a spirit to this stuff that needs to be retained.
Almost every expensive thing in Japan has the same core story. The one guy in the country who care the most about this specific something came up with a unique way of making/producing it for years/generation.
Fascinating, I been using Japanese ink sticks for decades(the cheap ones) but had no idea there was so much to it. I like them because you can make it an black as you what by controlling the amount of the pigment. Thanks
If I was relatively rich, I'd buy one of these ink blocks and keep it in a box. When friends came over, I'd make it a conversation piece by explaining how the block was made. It's just so intricate. Great for talking about when you're stoned as a dead goanna.
Ah, don't you just love it when a company is making a $1000 product but sends an employee into a PM2.5 filled soot room without any PPE? Even farm workers get respirators today.
If you watch other videos featuring 古梅园 this ink company, they show that the workers do wear PPE. They might not be wearing them here to make the video more appealing. Please do your research first before making outlandish accusations.
Pretty much all black pigment in the world in anything tends to be either charcoal (soot is the same thing) or black iron oxide. The oxide can get a blacker black but is a bit more expensive to make generally. From artist paints to inks to house paints to car paints to black plastics to black dyed fabrics to pretty much anything, almost always one of those 2 pigments.
Once again I am amazed by Japan. I especially like it when masters of their craft do something. It’s immediately obvious that the man gave his whole soul and life to his craft!
Love seeing traditional methods like this kept alive. It's a reminder that those who came before us were capable of great creativity and ingenuity far beyond what many people appreciate. Also shout out to the patrons who purposefully purchase these ink sticks and keep this tradition alive when they have much less expensive options.
Japanese esthetic, the skill of the artisan the obvious commitment of the company to tradition and joy that one gets just from seeing something like this in the modern world is incredible. Given the time and effort and skill the ink is actually not so expensive.
Remember that the Lord Jesus Christ died on a cross for you because He loves you so much. He then rose up from the dead three days later. The Ten Commandments are called the moral law, (most of us are lying thieving blasphemous adulterer at heart and deserve hell) you and I broke the law, Jesus paid the fine. That’s what happened on that cross. By believing that Jesus died on the cross and rose up from the dead 3 days later and not just confessing your sin, but also repenting of all sin you have done and putting all your trust in Him in prayer, He will grant you everlasting life as a free gift
There are similar techniques in China to make traditional ink. Different from Japanese, Chinese workmans burns wood with perfume to make soot. (but still expensive)
Your craftsmanship is appreciated. I watched this whole video in fascination because i didn't know people still made ink by hand and i didn't know the process was so intricate. To know there unused ink older than humans are still preserved and only getting better with age was a cool and interesting fact that blew me away. Its good you are keeping this craft alive and i hope you find success in finding others far into the future that will do the same. Thank You!!!
Wow!...such a lot of work involved. I love how these old traditions are still kept alive. To think this is how the early Japanese would of found this ink identical in every way to what people can still obtain today. Just looking at all those oil lamps patiently burning away to produce the finest soot money can buy....says it all to me...this is perfection and dedication all in one.
"the finest soot money can buy" Is it?! Do you know this for a fact? What is the difference in quality between this and the next nearest soot grade? Its made with god damned vegetable oil burning in a lamp you goon
For those unfamiliar, rapeseed oil is the extra-American name for Canola oil (the name was changed Stateside for obvious reasons). We tend to think of it as a purely culinary oil for cheap, but these guys use it to create expensive works of art. Amazing!
Rapeseed oil is the ancestor of Canola oil - they are not the same, Canola oil was bred from rapeseed to have lower levels of erucic acid which is somewhat toxic.
Goes out, buys an ink stone, expensive brush, expensive paper, and a $2,000 ink stick. Goes outside into the beautiful wilderness, takes a sip of sake, clears the mind, then with perfect precision, writes the word "pen!s".
I appreciate the hard work these people put into their art. Liquid inks and cheaper ink sticks do not have the feel or the "magic" of a well made ink stick while painting. You can feel the work and the dedication to quality when you use a handmade ink stick.
Then just deal with the feel of the liquid and cheaper ink sticks...learn to get better with cheaper raw materials as an artist and find other ways to make the art pop..the best painters never used thousands of dollars worth of paint or brushes. This is just pure indulgence and pursuit of luxury
@@Greatgoku4This is patently false. The brushes, paints, and even paper used by the most famous artists of history would cost you thousands, if not tens of thousands of dollars to purchase today. The quality of products they had access to would cost a fortune lol. Where are you getting your information? It's so ignorant that I find it hard to believe you actually read this somewhere. I'm guessing you just made it up without any actual evidence. Everything was hand made and done the traditional way, because that was the only way they knew how to do it. It wasn't a thousand dollars for a single stick of ink 300 years ago, because literally everyone used the same process and it was the only ink available. The same goes for everything art related. Brushes were all hair brushes, they didn't have cheap synthetics. Paints where all made using natural sources, etc. The quality of art materials even 100 years ago was astronomically higher than it is now. Even the cheapest materials were hand made and better quality than some of the most expensive modern alternatives. The best materials we use now are often way cheaper than anything you'd see a famous artist use historically.
Remember that the Lord Jesus Christ died on a cross for you because He loves you so much. He then rose up from the dead three days later. The Ten Commandments are called the moral law, (most of us are lying thieving blasphemous adulterer at heart and deserve hell) you and I broke the law, Jesus paid the fine. That’s what happened on that cross. By believing that Jesus died on the cross and rose up from the dead 3 days later and not just confessing your sin, but also repenting of all sin you have done and putting all your trust in Him in prayer, He will grant you everlasting life as a free gift
@@Loserstakethebait don't be such a dumb loser. Back then those materials didn't cost an arm and a leg. Anything on this UA-cam channel is an indulgence and there are cheaper alternatives to it. You don't need to buy the shittiest and cheapest stuff as a result obviously. I'm sure even moderately priced alternatives will perform adequately. And we are talking about a useless art like calligraphy which where they write words and letters smoothly....I've seen third world countries where people make do with the worst brushes and paints to paint perfectly on exterior walls while standing awkwardly in the worst temperatures. They just make do coz they don't have a choice. I get you were itching to flex your artsy knowledge but there's a fine line I guess between looking smart and like a fool. I guarantee you'll find moderately priced hair brushes etc if you know where to look such as third world markets where the sourcing may be questionable among other reasons.
How many other cultures would devote the time and the skilled labor of these artisans to preserve the tradition of producing this artistic commodity and to appreciate its value in the works of art it is used for and be willing to pay so much for it? Simply amazing!
Japanese art in a nutshell: Take an everyday item: ink, potted plant, arranged flowers, a vase; and take that to the most extreme refinement of both complexity and simplicity. Super-saturate the result with traditionalism and craftsmanship. Cure that result with single-minded focus developed over a lifetime. And as a westerner, you get to revel in the contradiction of awe from the beauty and confusion why anyone would bother. It's insane- but we can appreciate it.
Great work, both in the ink-making and the documentation. I wish that they'd adopt wearing a gas mask or filter so they don't breathe in all that soot every day. That's very labor intensive.
In 1973, Kuretake, also based in Nara, became the first company to launch a "fudepen," effectively a pen that can write using sumi. Fudepens have become popular not only among calligraphers, but also comic book inkers like Neal Adams.
As a Chinese who practices calligraphy... Fun fact: many things about the calligraphy, the Kanji Japanese write, the method of making the ink, the paper, are all from China...
But we did not marketing it well. Also, I think we somewhat lost the direction in modern industrial society, and lots of craftsmanship was not valued as they suppose to be. Hope things will get better as people realize how precious and valuable our culture is.
Can’t believe this Kobayen guy has lived for 450 years making ink for us. Absolute king.
Haha this "docu" was full of shit xD
In our Japanese nation and history many people live beyond 600 years. He is still middle aged according to our society
It's all in the folding & turning & rotating
man figured out near immortality just to bring you ink, and nothing else. priorities!
His parents practiced and perfected the technique of making babies for centuries. After 300 years of relentless and painstaking efforts, the Kobayen guy was born with a life expectancy of a few thousand years. He is just a 2 year old in ‘normal human’ terms.
It never seizes to astonish me how the Japanese are determined to preserve their traditions by not taking the easy way out.
Ceases*
Crazy to think they sold out on everything else to American culture
I mean, they are big businesses in the art Industry. As long as old rich men in that country love calligraphy they would survive. I'm not sure whether the younger generation of Japan would have the same appreciation as their old one..
It really depends. Some of their traditions are disappearing since the Meiji reforms
@@TheAustinBarnes poa
For every craft in the world, no matter how mundane, there is a Japanese person who has elevated it to the highest art. Massive respect
Japan's murder rate is lowest in the planet. They have the art of being at peace because even doing seemingly mundane things like writing or brewing tea is ritualized for them.
@@SuperDurv and rape
By adding pointless bullshit to make the task harder.
And a Chinese person who mass-produces it at 0.01% of the cost.
@@SuperDurv what's that got to do with art forms ?
The cameraman stayed with this Kobayen guy for 450 years making the ink from start to finish. Kudos to both
Yeah you can tell because of the camera changing the quality of the video every time and totally not my internet fluctuating
@@SayShelo Iv'e been waiting for years now you replied
@@ray-antraya4880quality comments take a long time to be written...
@@ray-antraya4880he just has really high ping
Camera Man never dies.
Shout out to the cinematographer for making the most of that light - the soot collection scenes were amazing - beautifully shot
Photographers too, are craftsmen in a way
You're one of the few people to really appreciate that.
Cameraman didn't want to catch any smoke..
I agree
Remember that the Lord Jesus Christ died on a cross for you because He loves you so much. He then rose up from the dead three days later.
The Ten Commandments are called the moral law, (most of us are lying thieving blasphemous adulterer at heart and deserve hell) you and I broke the law, Jesus paid the fine. That’s what happened on that cross.
By believing that Jesus died on the cross and rose up from the dead 3 days later and not just confessing your sin, but also repenting of all sin you have done and putting all your trust in Him in prayer, He will grant you everlasting life as a free gift
My aunt was an accomplished calligrapher and I spent hours by her side when I was a child grinding huge 100yr old inksticks like ones shown on the video on 500yr old inkstones. It was a huge honor to be given the task as all my relatives were intensely jealous of me and nearly half a century later I have only begun to understand the extent of how meaningful it was. The aroma which filled the room is forever engraved into my being for life. It truly was a zen experience that cannot be fully described nor explained by my limited mind.
@@redrustyhill2 what?
@redrustyhill2 Not at all in any capacity. If anything it has humbled me for life as i could never achieve anything near it. I am truly sorry if that was all you got out of it.
Redrustyhill2's grandparents probably had him brewing moonshine, or more likely he never knew his grandparents and grew up playing video games and watching tv which has made him bitter.
@geigertec5921 and you are definitely wrong on everything you said. My grandparents didn't even drink alcohol, i saw them every week, i never had video games, we didn't even have a TV and i never even owned one until i was 25 or 26. Only an imbicel gets triggered by a simple question asked to someone else
Wow that’s cool. Aunt was based
I love the recognition of these people as artisans in this video. Often times production videos like this underappreciate the labor that goes into making these products.
I love how the man in the suit is the one explaining the process instead of the works putting themselves at risk of danger and injury
@@robertvigil5480 he is the owner?
What you complaining about Karen, it's his company 🤣
What ever you think their noun should be. After all, the noun is just as important as their skill.
Actually videos like these recognize those people. It's mostly like "How it's made" type of videos that overlook it and just show the process and tell the process reasons.
@@robertvigil5480 👈KAREN
"Even if it causes us to lose money, I believe continuing this process is our company's highest priority."
There's something so beautiful about that kind of passion and care for your craft. There's so much love there in that sentence, almost as if the art and the ink was a living and breathing person.
No shareholders helps a bunch. A bunch of my friends are small business owners here in Tokyo, and while profit is necessary to keep the company running, they all agree that it is the quality of the product that keeps the customers rolling in and that expansion for the sake of increasing profit will lead to a loss of the original focus that made the company successful in the first place.
but girls think these ink r useless, outdated, way overpriced, n hope its craftin method goes extinct tho
also making more would devalue the product. Like how diamonds are kept in artificially low supply to keep their value up as 'rare'. Diamonds aren't really that rare at all
With that cost-price ratio I don't think they will loose money.
@@jake9854 "girls" what 💀
In the 500-year history of Kobaien's ink production, Japanese society has gone through very significant social changes, from the feudalistic system of the samurai to the great reforms in Meiji era, World War I and World War II.
The story of sumi ink manufacturing and their philosophy of craftsmanship that has been preserved in such circumstances is very interesting and valuable. Everyone is welcome to visit the Koubaien in Nara.
We, Ichi inc, Japan, have been sending out information about Kobaien's ink production for several years now. We are very happy to have been featured in this way.
When I go back to Japan I will come visit!
And I feel very privileged to benefit from your willingness to share insights into one of so many intricate traditions of Japan. Arigatou gozaimasu.
@@thelandofmisteroz Please let us know then. We look forward to it! 😊
@@ireneinbarcelona It is a great honor for us too. Arigatou gozaimasu! 😊
Kobaien should be at the world inheritance list
It’s just mind boggling how human beings just figure all of this stuff out and solidify the process over the span of centuries. Incredible!
its the necessity. Someone figured out that charcoal is a good way to make make marks.. then someone experimented and found better ways based on the needs that arised from every new version... as the needs changed (needs to work best on rice paper..) new innovations were developed. The monarchy and leaders of each region probably demanded that certain artisans spend their days figuring it out.. they had the same brains as we do today. Through observation and experimentation and through cross pollination of knowledge from the other developing fields like agriculture understanding of the materials evolved. what is fascinating is that some places still prefer to make things an old fashioned way when modern understanding of molecular science could probably replicate the process with chemicals and machinery and could bring the production time down to weeks instead of years.
It's mind boggling how it takes hundreds of years is right.
Yet here we are hating on one another letting the. Government do as they will. Come on folks let's set aside the differences and look. At what we are surrendering to these "people"
@@neko7606 not getting along is literally part of our biology
Fear of the unknown. Lies told and manifested to confuse and control.
I so admire the Japanese culture for their attention to detail, dedication to craftsmanship, and honorable approach to life and business. When the man said he would rather focus on quality and tradition even if it will cause them to lose money my desire to visit Japan doubled!
I like Japanese output. But I am sure living such a life would seem like slavery to me.
Relax. He stomped it with his foot.
@@johnjohnson9431 Tell me you didn't watch the video without telling me you didn't watch the video.
@@johnjohnson9431 Yeah and computer programming is just typing words. Relax. Neurosurgery is just cutting meat. Relax.
Check out their cherry blossom tradition, 🍱 bento box picnic, it's just obsessions
I've had the privilege of working with high quality sumi ink stones before and it truly is an experience that cannot be easily put into words if you are a calligraphy lover/practice calligraphy, love traditional Japanese traditions, love art, or love ink. There honestly isn't anything comparable with the whole process of rubbing an ink stick on the ink stone and the feeling of calm and transcendence while working with the materials.
Having worked with these, can you actually smell the perfume used in the glue when you use the actual ink? Or is it a ceremonial thing they just experience when making the glue
I can relate. I have taken Shuuji lessons in Japan and grinding the solid ink onto the stone felt so satisfying; the sound, the chalky grinding feeling, and the silence of the room. It really was something else.
@@himynameisjeff I've used high quality ink sticks before. The perfume smell comes out as you grind the ink. All med-high grade inksticks do this. You can also tell the difference between a med grade ink stick from a higher end one from the smell apart from the blackness. The fragrant smell in lower grade ones hits you quite hard. The smell in the really high grade ones come out slow and what's even more special is that the smell is entwined with the soot- so you get a fragrant smell with a tint of firewood smell. Its truly wonderful. These high grade inksticks cost ~$120 usd for just 22.5 g.
@@ambervale6172 this is crazy, so much money for grain of ink
@@himynameisjeff It smells light and great, elegant, like the smell from some old books but fresh and without paper.
I have such profound respect for the Japanese and their dedication to work, traditions, and quality.
At the expense of health. There is no way the guy stomping on the ink, or the guy breathing in all that smoke, doesn't die from cancer within the next five years.
I agree even if ppl think following traditions is conservative I find it BEAUTIFUL. It's so sad that people like them are working so hard for integrity but today's generation is way to busy on wasting time
overpriced and often inferior to top western products
@@peace_Palestine20 Maybe because most traditions are not related to craftsmanship but rather mutilating women (India), physically and mentally abusing your children so they "perform" (China) or how to "eat properly". Yeah. Following traditions is nonsense and outdated. I´d rather have not a single tradition left, rather than having those degenerated and outdated believes.
Rarely is a tradition really worthwhile. Many of them are disgusting. Some of them are "beautiful" and result in great.
@@peace_Palestine20 And why finding something to be conservative would be bad?
I love the fact that the CEO of this company is not driven exclusively by profit. That the Product and the Process are so important to him is awesome and a wonderful thing.
The staff have such awful dirty jobs but they are performed with pride.
I hope this company stays viable for many more years to come.
450 years. Incredible.
woah. you go and buy one
"not driven exclusively by profit."
Sooo, 6000 of the 1000 dollar sticks a month, 72 million dollars a year, with like 10 people. Either those people are damn rich or the CEO is making plenty profit.
@@pikekeke If you would watch the video you could understand *some* of the daily labor that goes into these sticks.
If the guy wanted to maximize profits he could probably mechanize some of this process, or use replacement chemicals (like finely ground charcoal or synthetic fragrances).
If there is one thing to truly respect about the Japanese culture is their respect to a living wage in traditional occupations.
Look at their designer fruit market. The amount of care into *one* strawberry, or cantaloupe is incredible. What is more incredible is the society that shows that such activities are rewarded.
@@Giganfan2k1 I can see a ton of labour goes in to these sticks.
However, they say that of just the $1000 sticks they make 6000 every month using a "handful" of "artisans".
So where does all that money go?
@@pikekeke Have you ever looked at the wage brake down of Japanese worker?
The guys making the wicks are probably getting paid more than a X-ray tech.
The company itself is probably a family business... Which if it is doing it for 450 years. That checks.
The financial outlook is generational, not quarterly.
One thing I absolutely love about Japanese people is that whatever they do they do it with absolute passion, their love for their work is just wonderful no wonder they are far ahead of us .
They just LOVE denying war crimes. No wonder they nevet got punished
@@Homem_Duplo-hq4ohand your attitude is sh!t.
You'll hear europeans making expensive wine or perfume having the same attitude as these sumi ink stick makers, it's just what rich Japanese people do on their free time. That's their target audience.
They have love for their work because Japan actually cares about artisanship. Like, these small woodwork shops or tailors or cobblers can afford to have a small but comfortable shop where they both work and live, and their service provides them with a stable and valid income. The issue with many western states is that their governments simply don't care to support that kind of lifestyle. They are bought out by major companies like Amazon who produce cheap goods. And people would rather buy those cheap goods because they don't have the money to go hunting for a store that specializes in what they're looking for.
example: they would rather go buy furniture at an ikea because it's cheap, even though they're flimsy. while a carpenter would produce something that lasts longer and has actual years of experience behind it. it's a personal item, you learn more about the artisan behind it. but because it's more expensive (and the economy is awful right now for the working class), they're stuck buying cheap garbage. and then the artisan goes out of business and we lose just a bit more tradition.
@@Homem_Duplo-hq4oh To be fair they did get nuked twice
I just love these types of handmade items that the Japanese create as a art and a traditional item.
I think it is feetmade.
Agreed 💯 percent this series could be called why Japan is so expensive
@@kamaruddin9172 I agree with that more than handmade lol
I love watching these and realizing quality could be better with machines. And the lives of the workers. I wouldn't want to be a smoke catcher.
And training takes 25 years
I'm a carpenter in Germany and it makes me sad sometimes when I see our workshops being turned into CNC farms. Traditional craftsmanship is dying and everything ends up looking the same. Those micro imperfections are lost and things end up looking and feeling sterile and lifeless.
Idk. Handmade craftsmanship is good for rich people. I cant even afford a house, so I dont feel regret if old tech gets thrown away in order to make way to something affordable.
@@heyhoe168 true but generally the affordable stuff doesn't last and you end up buying things twice. I'd rather have less but what I have is quality and lasts forever.
@@JeDxDeVu well, it depends on a ways to achieve affordability. CNC is one thing, garbage materials is another.
Idk man, some work is better left to machines. The people of the past would sell their mother for a CNC machine.
@@waynebimmel6784 The people of the past have built things that will outlast things built now. I'm not saying machines are bad, but when everything is left to machines things become sterile. I see it.
Apart from it being incredibly fascinating, it’s so refreshing seeing people with such a dedication and attention to detail for their work.
I completely agree. It feels like everything in our world has become so cheap and mass produced. I wish there were more things of quality and craftsmanship like this.
French cheese workers
日本の文化をいろんな人に見てもらうのはうれしいねぇ
Mad respect for the boss to priorize the quality over efficiency even if it makes them lose some money. I would love to have companies like that in my country, would buy from them allways-
The company featured in the video admitted they are losing money (not profitable), and if you used these as inputs into your own manufacturing the high costs for the bars would make your company unprofitable too.
These handmade bars should be considered "art" and collected as such: driving up the selling price for the bars and hopefully allowing the company to regain profitability so it can continue for another 450 years.
That will not ever happen in the USA. Lol🤣
Most countries it wont happen anymore. The rules of sustainable things make it hard. If you see all the traditional things shown in Insider are mostly from Asian countries. Even Italians are struggling now to keep up. Its sad what my generation is doing. We all know that NGO's (not all) are run by many jobless people who are funded by countries such as china, south korea so most countries cannot manufacture their goods and depend on these countries. People are going and destroying paintings, so you think the ink will remain?
How is he losing money? He controls the supply of artisan ink, it would be pointless to produce more and sell it for less. Boss man ain't stupid but he surely knows how to sell a story to the very naive.
That’s Japan for you. Honor and integrity and doing the best job you can do because it’s the right thing to do, even if it means losing profits
I just love the idea of craftmanship and dedication japanese people have and how everything is related in their economy. They've built an entire industry around ink sticks, making them extremely valuable thanks to their skills and in turn japanese caligraphers and artists produce also high value art that is regarded worldwide. Such an example of a hard working economy based on real value and not just profit and speculation.
Actually their economy is failing partialy because using 10th century methods in 2023 is terrible idea. If anyone else did it you would clearly see how stupid it is but Japanese somehow managed to bamboozle bunch of westerners into worshipping them.
I first encountered this while staying at a friend's grandparent's home in Nara for new years in 2003. The family had no interest in Grandpa's art or keeping with the traditions. The grandfather taught me a bit but I was utter rubbish at creating art like he did. I ended up taking home many pieces from his collection that I still maintain and display 20 years later.
I bet that meant more to that grandfather than you know.
I don't get it but I'm not shitting on a memory like that.
I'm glad you had that moment with him.
It is truely amazing how the Japanese will prioritize the traditional process to keep the heritage and culture in tact over profits.
1000% respect for the craftsmanship and their legacy.
I’ve loved ink sticks ever since I was a kid and got a cheap ink stick set from a museum. As an artist I really appreciate the control I have over the pigment and it’s such a satisfying process
We've seen why the brushes are so expensive, now we are seeing why the ink is so expensive... when are we gonna see why japanese calligraphy paper is so expensive?
Great question
It takes years to master.
the secrets will take years to master
in years you will know about it all fully
melons and tuna are expensive there too... the question is what is cheap there?
I saw a video on the calligraphy paper here on YT (can't remember title) but it too is all handmade with carefully curated materials by a diminishing number of masters and apprentices.
Yes, it is a long process. But this is one of the reasons their country has managed to keep ancient crafts and techniques alive. So much of preserved heritage.
Wow, how much effort it must be to produce these ink sticks! I really admire the process. Thank you for presenting this to us
It's amazing how they put so much care into their work and how they always aim for quality above all else. I also love how they are very technologically advanced as a country but are still able to keep their traditional techniques alive.
Good point! 👍
@@albertocarrilho5839 Anybody can, people in my country do it, too. Unfortunately, we fall behind in terms of technology.
Japón, el país con más suicidios del mundo, no puede ser un lugar agradable para vivir...
@@miredmind but girls think these ink r ridiculously expensive and useless though
@@jake9854 I know next to nothing about Japanese traditions, but if they're getting sold, I don't think we can really say they're useless. For one, I and a few people I know treat writing and drawing as some sort of self-therapy.
Dang that dude is 450 years old?!?! Incredible he has been making ink for 450 years.
I listened to that a few times....and yep, he is making it for 450 years, and I think he didn't start as a baby, so he must be more to 470 years 🤣
proof that asian doesn't age
@@laramaaike3050 well if he lived to be 450 years old he also could have been a baby able to make ink lol. But yes I'll take it they are probly old
Dude is immortal 🗿
Must be all that antioxidants
Old school traditional crafts and the materials to make them are always very expensive in every culture.... more so in a society such as Japan that embraces its traditions. Unfortunately in time these crafts... and craftsmen will die out.
Thank you as always for sharing and memorializing such incredible crafts.
The more expensive things get, the less accessible such luxuries will be as well.
Meanwhile in other places. People learn to make the stuff without all the 'embracing of traditions' nonsense that takes so many years and is off-putting and the product is still being made....
@@ossie1129 Embracing tradition is one of those feel good ideas to people with no understanding of manufacturing.
If we still followed traditional manufacturing, we’d have government agents going around Britain collecting urine for use in gunpowder to support Ukraine (genuine historical requirement of gunpowder).
Just because a human made something does not mean it’s better quality
@@chrissmith3587I hope these sorta crafts die out. Monkeys and pigs and cows were all harmed needlesly for some dumb ass ink.
@@chrissmith3587 thankgod common sense, like this is cool and all but pretty pointless and efficient, not to mention theres better materials for most things available thesedays
Japan is never stops to amaze me... It is crazy how dedicate they are. A lot to learn from them.
That was a much more complex and intense process than I thought it would take to make ink. A lot of respect for the sumi ink craftsmen who keep this tradition alive.
On 10:44 the calligrapher actually wrote the word "ink" in japanese (墨) which I think is a great detail 💕
Putting a white sliding door in a black ink factory was a interesting move 😣
Except it's still white many years later 😂😉
I guess the game is no fun on easy mode.
Well, it's still white 🤣
The paper on traditional doors actually gets replaced somewhat frequently since they’re more susceptible to damage from the elements, so there’s no real reason to use colored paper. The white also lets light filter in better. It’s why when you see a lot of traditional buildings you don’t really see windows
I wouldn’t have the patience to light the lamps let alone finish the entire process of ink making. Much respect to these guys
As someone who is into calligraphy, this is just CRAZY. Japanese people are next level. WOW
The depth of craftsmanship is palpable in this video. So is the beauty of the final product. Please consider making a video about the creation of Japanese incense. It's an art in itself, too. There are some rare types of aloeswood incenses that go for well over $1000 a box.
I miss Japan so bad. I was station at Atsugi in Yamato. Definitely one of the best times in my life. One statement in the video, he says, even if we loose money that’s okay as long as our product doesn’t loose quality. Not a lot of those people left in the world.
Hey! Me too (2005) I missed Japan so much I'm moving back this year. Cheers sailor!😄
The dedication and work commitment Japanese people have is amazing.
Japanese commitment to their tradition in an industrialized world is so romantic. Watching this video made my day and inspired me. Thank you.
I felt a sense of solemn joy and appreciation from the calligrapher using the ink. Like he loved and appreciated every minute that lead up to him using the ink. Beautifully captured in your video, this was amazing. Thank you.
We were living for a very short time in an era of information. Now we're moving to an era of AI. We need to treasure and cherish artistry like this because this is literally all that is left.
I think we will return to crafts because we enjoy the process.
We recently started with pottery, it’s quite a complicated rabbit hole. You don’t do that because it’s efficient but it’s satisfying to build lasting things by hand.
AI and robotics will be able to take care of all our needs pretty soon. We will be left with gaming and crafts.
@@alexforget We will be left as slaves in smart cities with social credit scores.
What do you mean? Highly automated factories exist and aren't going anywhere. Once long ago the techniques here were the best way to make good ink. Nowadays it's a luxury product. Given any clear measurable quality, like darkness, industrial chemists will beat the pants of old timey artisanal processes.
What do you mean, this would stay in those countries and many other countries, especially poor countries where things are done by hand. AI would be exclusive to the west lol.
@@alexforget No
This ink-making process is truly fascinating.
In a world where traditional crafts are slowly dying out, it warms my heart knowing that there are people continuing on their traditions.
They ain't dying out
They just ain't record anymore because there is not big interest in them. Search in small places, explore, go off the grid as they, and you'll find thousand of communities with very well preserved secrets that have never seen the spotlight. I know I have, so I'm sure you can too.
warms your heart? did you miss the part where they said MONKEY GLUE, and the part where the soot harvesting job is done with no gas mask or even dust mask?
@@Ass_of_Amalek It warms my heart when people turn monkeys into glue...
@@majorpwner241 knowing the japanese, I bet they have old collectible ink sticks with chinese glue and korean glue.
I hate to agree with @semechkiforputin, but yeah: a lamp attendant's lung must be a sumi-e masterpiece.
It is amazing to see that almost same method is used to traditionally prepare kohl or kajal in India. Ghee filled lamps are lighted and the soot is collected on copper or silver lids, then some ayurvedic oils and pure edible camphor is used to enrich the soot. This paste is then called as 'kajal', which is used as an eyeliner. It is said to protect the eye sight, reduce the eye strain & beautify the eyes.
Calligraphy writers are having one of the most satisfying works out there...Props to them👏👏👏
Japan is just something special. They beautifully balance the material life with the spiritual and consider the wellness of the mind, body and spirit in all that they do. Something like ink making in the West would simply be about all the material aspects and profit, and literally no one cares if it “calms your mind” or not. But for Japan, the mind and spirit is considered in even the making of the ink and using it. Perhaps the respect which goes into it boosts the value of the art more than just the material value of ingredients. It’s lovely.
Westerners simply prefer liquid ink because people usually used quills and later fountain pens, not brushes which I assume need a higher viscosity. The rituals around it are always obviously made up.
I feel like most people in the west wouldn't find peace of mind by spending that much money to slap some ink on rice paper.
"the same way businesses are created through the pen is the same way you need ink to sign your cheques". quote written by a financial Advisor (Nicholas Deniehy )
wow, I m going to contact him, I really need some guidance towards this trade market and how to earn with it , I would love to be educated.
wow glad to see everyone that worked and still working him , he amazing on what he does, i made over $500k with his strategies and guidance
Tbh we all do need a financial Advisor who would guild us through our time when trading seeing a lot about a success of Nicholas Deniehy helping people to reach there goal financially , all i can say is that i would love to give him a try and see where it leads
omg im still working with his and he has thought me many things and put me on a portfolio that's dropping a margin of profit, Nicholas is the real deal .
how can i contact him?
Anything Japan: "It takes years to be able to master lighting the oil lamps"
Pretty sure it takes a week and a half and they're just being polite to their lamp guy
@@gavinjenkins899 learning yeah mastering I doubt it.
@@greatninja2590 its literally turning lids quickly
@@gavinjenkins899 and other work like oil replacment candle position placing that thread thing and everything inbetween.
There is something magical about Japanese culture, I keep watching and study it and it never gets boring quite opposite. Thanks
Thank you for taking up Japan. Please come and visit Japan. With love from the Japanese to everyone💞🇯🇵🌸
This was an absolute joy to watch, the sticks where beautiful by themselves, but the process of making them was astonishing. I just loved every part of this video, very relaxing 🙏
Everything made in japan is high quality simply because they put so much effort and dedication i have so much respect
Item 😒
Item, JP 🤯😮😮
like waifu >.>
Japanese blades are amazing
Like their panty vending machines and dumbass gift boxes.
@@AwakenedAvocado so amazing that they can easily be cut in half by a German sword lol
Thank you, Insider, for bringing such unique, interesting, and artistically masterful stories to the attention of the masses.
Now I want to become a master calligrapher so that I can strive to obtain and experience the joy of working with this ink
This is some of what you get when you preserve tradition and culture; the best of the old and the best of the new. Japan: cutting edge and old-fashioned at the same time. Highly informative and interesting video. Thank you.
Seeing the methods and mastery of this stuff is art itself. When I was in Venice I remember buying some leather-bound journals at a book-binding store. You just don't see quality, hand-made stuff like you used to. There's a spirit to this stuff that needs to be retained.
@5:41 “the dough is kneaded every morning”
I wish I was needed too
It’s also vigorously beaten, pressed, and used for its money.
Almost every expensive thing in Japan has the same core story. The one guy in the country who care the most about this specific something came up with a unique way of making/producing it for years/generation.
The color is so rich and dark! And the process is like something out of a fable! Amazing
i could watch videos like these for hours.
Fascinating, I been using Japanese ink sticks for decades(the cheap ones) but had no idea there was so much to it. I like them because you can make it an black as you what by controlling the amount of the pigment. Thanks
it seems like there's a lot of potential for creating layered effects with different amounts of pigment
If I was relatively rich, I'd buy one of these ink blocks and keep it in a box. When friends came over, I'd make it a conversation piece by explaining how the block was made. It's just so intricate. Great for talking about when you're stoned as a dead goanna.
Japanese work ethic cannot be underestimated, much respect
1:53 that worker looks so cute i swear 😂😊
My narrow mind says this seems unnecessary but certainly this is how traditions last for a thousands of years.Respect.
Ah, don't you just love it when a company is making a $1000 product but sends an employee into a PM2.5 filled soot room without any PPE? Even farm workers get respirators today.
Right? Every comment here saying how beautiful the craftsmanship, I'm wondering when this kid will be able to not inhale animal glue fumes all day 💀
Didn't you know? They also make a 5000$ product made from the soot found in the lungs of dead workers it's so much better.
or why wouldn't they wear gloves to protect their skin from this stuff ?
If you watch other videos featuring 古梅园 this ink company, they show that the workers do wear PPE. They might not be wearing them here to make the video more appealing. Please do your research first before making outlandish accusations.
so nice to finally understand these ink sticks. i had no idea what they were actually made of. thanks for documenting this.
Pretty much all black pigment in the world in anything tends to be either charcoal (soot is the same thing) or black iron oxide. The oxide can get a blacker black but is a bit more expensive to make generally. From artist paints to inks to house paints to car paints to black plastics to black dyed fabrics to pretty much anything, almost always one of those 2 pigments.
Wow, gotta say say, I'm pretty grateful they're so open with the process and aren't keeping much as a secret
Look at the ink maker. He really is happy with what he is doing. So his product is in good quality too.
Immense respect for these craftsman to keep the dedication and passion alive!
Japanese craftsmanship is always excellent 👌
Theres just something about Japanese culture and traditions that I highly admire and respect
Once again I am amazed by Japan. I especially like it when masters of their craft do something. It’s immediately obvious that the man gave his whole soul and life to his craft!
Wow. I never knew how much went into making this. Such dedication and how cool.
Love seeing traditional methods like this kept alive. It's a reminder that those who came before us were capable of great creativity and ingenuity far beyond what many people appreciate.
Also shout out to the patrons who purposefully purchase these ink sticks and keep this tradition alive when they have much less expensive options.
I was today years old when I learned that Japan has yet another beautifully specific tradition for making an "everyday product"
Very cool video! So cool to see artisans work, when someone truly understands and cares for their craft. Thanks for showing us!
Japanese esthetic, the skill of the artisan the obvious commitment of the company to tradition and joy that one gets just from seeing something like this in the modern world is incredible. Given the time and effort and skill the ink is actually not so expensive.
Beautiful, time-honored tradition and artistry. A true price for this, is unobtainable. Remarkable. ❤️
Remember that the Lord Jesus Christ died on a cross for you because He loves you so much. He then rose up from the dead three days later.
The Ten Commandments are called the moral law, (most of us are lying thieving blasphemous adulterer at heart and deserve hell) you and I broke the law, Jesus paid the fine. That’s what happened on that cross.
By believing that Jesus died on the cross and rose up from the dead 3 days later and not just confessing your sin, but also repenting of all sin you have done and putting all your trust in Him in prayer, He will grant you everlasting life as a free gift
@@dove3853no
10:00 As the calligraphy teacher spoke, I closed my eyes. And then I saw Kermit in anime style.
His vocal cords thicc af
There are similar techniques in China to make traditional ink. Different from Japanese, Chinese workmans burns wood with perfume to make soot. (but still expensive)
Your craftsmanship is appreciated. I watched this whole video in fascination because i didn't know people still made ink by hand and i didn't know the process was so intricate. To know there unused ink older than humans are still preserved and only getting better with age was a cool and interesting fact that blew me away. Its good you are keeping this craft alive and i hope you find success in finding others far into the future that will do the same. Thank You!!!
Wow!...such a lot of work involved. I love how these old traditions are still kept alive. To think this is how the early Japanese would of found this ink identical in every way to what people can still obtain today. Just looking at all those oil lamps patiently burning away to produce the finest soot money can buy....says it all to me...this is perfection and dedication all in one.
"the finest soot money can buy"
Is it?! Do you know this for a fact? What is the difference in quality between this and the next nearest soot grade?
Its made with god damned vegetable oil burning in a lamp you goon
For those unfamiliar, rapeseed oil is the extra-American name for Canola oil (the name was changed Stateside for obvious reasons). We tend to think of it as a purely culinary oil for cheap, but these guys use it to create expensive works of art. Amazing!
Rapeseed oil is the ancestor of Canola oil - they are not the same, Canola oil was bred from rapeseed to have lower levels of erucic acid which is somewhat toxic.
Oh so it's not what I thought
Rapeseed oil is cancelled
Why was it called rapeseed?
@@xyzmediaandentertainment8313 It's from the Latin name for a turnip.
Goes out, buys an ink stone, expensive brush, expensive paper, and a $2,000 ink stick. Goes outside into the beautiful wilderness, takes a sip of sake, clears the mind, then with perfect precision, writes the word "pen!s".
I appreciate the hard work these people put into their art. Liquid inks and cheaper ink sticks do not have the feel or the "magic" of a well made ink stick while painting. You can feel the work and the dedication to quality when you use a handmade ink stick.
Then just deal with the feel of the liquid and cheaper ink sticks...learn to get better with cheaper raw materials as an artist and find other ways to make the art pop..the best painters never used thousands of dollars worth of paint or brushes. This is just pure indulgence and pursuit of luxury
@@Greatgoku4This is patently false. The brushes, paints, and even paper used by the most famous artists of history would cost you thousands, if not tens of thousands of dollars to purchase today. The quality of products they had access to would cost a fortune lol. Where are you getting your information? It's so ignorant that I find it hard to believe you actually read this somewhere. I'm guessing you just made it up without any actual evidence.
Everything was hand made and done the traditional way, because that was the only way they knew how to do it. It wasn't a thousand dollars for a single stick of ink 300 years ago, because literally everyone used the same process and it was the only ink available. The same goes for everything art related. Brushes were all hair brushes, they didn't have cheap synthetics. Paints where all made using natural sources, etc. The quality of art materials even 100 years ago was astronomically higher than it is now. Even the cheapest materials were hand made and better quality than some of the most expensive modern alternatives. The best materials we use now are often way cheaper than anything you'd see a famous artist use historically.
Remember that the Lord Jesus Christ died on a cross for you because He loves you so much. He then rose up from the dead three days later.
The Ten Commandments are called the moral law, (most of us are lying thieving blasphemous adulterer at heart and deserve hell) you and I broke the law, Jesus paid the fine. That’s what happened on that cross.
By believing that Jesus died on the cross and rose up from the dead 3 days later and not just confessing your sin, but also repenting of all sin you have done and putting all your trust in Him in prayer, He will grant you everlasting life as a free gift
@@Loserstakethebait don't be such a dumb loser. Back then those materials didn't cost an arm and a leg. Anything on this UA-cam channel is an indulgence and there are cheaper alternatives to it. You don't need to buy the shittiest and cheapest stuff as a result obviously. I'm sure even moderately priced alternatives will perform adequately. And we are talking about a useless art like calligraphy which where they write words and letters smoothly....I've seen third world countries where people make do with the worst brushes and paints to paint perfectly on exterior walls while standing awkwardly in the worst temperatures. They just make do coz they don't have a choice. I get you were itching to flex your artsy knowledge but there's a fine line I guess between looking smart and like a fool. I guarantee you'll find moderately priced hair brushes etc if you know where to look such as third world markets where the sourcing may be questionable among other reasons.
@@Greatgoku4Show me some of your art then.
I have the utmost love and respect for these craftsmen. What an incredible and grueling process. Thank you for these wonderful shots!
0:58 I thought they were saying the same one guy had been making ink for 450 years...
How many other cultures would devote the time and the skilled labor of these artisans to preserve the tradition of producing this artistic commodity and to appreciate its value in the works of art it is used for and be willing to pay so much for it? Simply amazing!
2:05 catching smoke in USA is a whole different activitie then in Japan
For those who think Ai will someday replace artists. Some artforms, get their value from, the process by which they are made!
My uncle back in Yokohama likes to do shodō (Japanese art of calligraphy) in his free time. I see some of these types of ink in his home studio
Japanese art in a nutshell: Take an everyday item: ink, potted plant, arranged flowers, a vase; and take that to the most extreme refinement of both complexity and simplicity. Super-saturate the result with traditionalism and craftsmanship. Cure that result with single-minded focus developed over a lifetime. And as a westerner, you get to revel in the contradiction of awe from the beauty and confusion why anyone would bother. It's insane- but we can appreciate it.
This is why we love Japan! That sometimes seemingly ridiculous dedication in the different ancient crafts. ^^
Respect to the artist and to the people of Japanese who are willing pay more for quality goods, which in return help these Artists continue.
Great work, both in the ink-making and the documentation. I wish that they'd adopt wearing a gas mask or filter so they don't breathe in all that soot every day. That's very labor intensive.
I thought the same thing. Can well imagine that they get diseases from it.
@@elgur4512 😄😄 yes, this would be truly the most expensive ink sticks. Only every few decades they are available
In 1973, Kuretake, also based in Nara, became the first company to launch a "fudepen," effectively a pen that can write using sumi. Fudepens have become popular not only among calligraphers, but also comic book inkers like Neal Adams.
As a Chinese who practices calligraphy... Fun fact: many things about the calligraphy, the Kanji Japanese write, the method of making the ink, the paper, are all from China...
Not just the calligraphy
But we did not marketing it well. Also, I think we somewhat lost the direction in modern industrial society, and lots of craftsmanship was not valued as they suppose to be. Hope things will get better as people realize how precious and valuable our culture is.