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Saiboku Aya

Ancient inks, re-imagined.

Sumi ink—now in full color.

Turn water into rich color with Saiboku Aya ink sticks. Made by Japanese artisans and formulated with bright, permanent pigments, Saiboku Aya are traditional inks for the 21st century. They're used just like normal sumi ink sticks: by rubbing them against a wet inkstone to turn clear water into thick, saturated ink. It's a meditative, magical experience, and you're not limited to black.

Try using Saiboku Aya for drawing, painting on watercolor paper, and hand-lettering with brushes or dip pens. Scroll down and see all the color options, plus a curated selection of accessories and paper that pair perfectly with these elegant inks.


First, choose your colors.

Choose the colors that grab your attention and make you want to start sketching.

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Don't forget your stone.

If you already have a textured inkstone, there's no need to purchase a new one for Saiboku Aya. But if you don't already have one in your studio, be sure to pick one up. This isn't an optional accessory—ink sticks will not work without an inkstone to grind them. They're finished with a special texture, almost like very fine sandpaper, that helps the solid ink turn into liquid color. We stock several different options, in a variety of sizes and materials:

Our top recommendation is this traditionally shaped inkstone in white porcelain. Unlike standard black ink stones, you can clearly see the color you're making.

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This smaller stone has a flat, round bottom, without the slanted basin most inkstones have. It's great for saving a bit of desk space, especially if you're using multiple stones.

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This classic black inkstone is larger and heavier than the others, so it's good for making larger volumes of ink. Made from natural stone.

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Brushes, pens, or both?

Saiboku Aya is recommended for use with brushes and dip pens. Here are a few favorites that work well with ink:

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Helpful tools

When using inks, it helps to have some studio tools to manage your water and keep everything clean. Here are a few top picks:

A water dropper is the perfect tool for wetting your inkstone before you mix a color. You can also use it for dilution after your initial grind.

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A nice place to put small amounts of liquid ink. Please keep in mind that Saiboku Aya has no preservatives and has a limited shelf life in liquid form.

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If you're making multiple Saiboku colors into liquid ink, a small, multi-well palette is a great place to put them.

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This glass beaker is our preferred water cup when working with inks and paints. It's easy to fill, clean, and pour, and it's made from lab-grade borosilicate glass.

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These simple transfer pipettes are ideal for moving ink from your stone to a palette.

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For getting ink off your hands and brushes, we love this pleasantly minty artist soap.

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Suggested surfaces

Any watercolor or ink paper, including mixed media paper and bristol board, will work with Saiboku Aya. Here are a few selections that complement the ink nicely:

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We carry rare and hard-to-find ink supplies you won't see in other shops. Click to browse our ink department.

Our catalog is always expanding. If you're looking for inspiration, check out our latest additions.