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.

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

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:

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

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

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: