Overview
Since ancient times, people in Japan have produced a form of ink known as sumi, which is used for calligraphy and traditional ink wash painting. Prepared in the form of ink sticks, sumi has to be diluted in water to create a black liquid. Until about 100 years ago, sumi was one of the most popular items sold at stationery stores. Today, ink sticks are rarely used in everyday life, but they are an essential aspect of traditional calligraphy. Shodo, the art of writing kanji characters with sumi ink, remains very popular. On this edition of Journeys in Japan, John Gathright travels to Suzuka, in Mie Prefecture, where sumi has been produced for centuries. He meets a traditional ink-stick master craftsman and discovers the vibrant art of calligraphy.
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3 - 1Walking the Historic Nakasendo January 10, 2012 -
3 - 2Samurai Days in Satsuma January 17, 2012
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3 - 3Mikuni, Fukui Prefecture: The Supreme Winter Delicacy January 24, 2012
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3 - 4Suzuka City, Mie Prefecture: City of Sumi January 31, 2012
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3 - 5Furano, Hokkaido: White Wintry World February 07, 2012
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3 - 6Ohenro Shikoku Pilgrimage Part 1: Tokushima Prefecture February 14, 2012
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3 - 7Ohenro Shikoku Pilgrimage Part 2: Kochi Prefecture February 21, 2012
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3 - 8Life in the Deep Snow February 28, 2012
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3 - 9Kingdom of Udon: Kagawa Prefecture March 06, 2012
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3 - 10Dancing Among the Gods: Takachiho, Miyazaki Prefecture March 07, 2012
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3 - 11Treasures of the Ancient Capital: Nara Prefecture March 13, 2012
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3 - 12Beppu City, Oita Prefecture: Nature's Gift: Hot Springs March 20, 2012
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3 - 13Okinawa: Inspired by the Sea and Land, Crafted by Hand March 27, 2012
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3 - 14Yanagawa, Fukuoka Prefecture: Spring on the Waterways April 03, 2012
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3 - 15Gourmet Adventure: Osaka, Osaka Prefecture April 10, 2012
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3 - 16Time Travelling in Shiga April 17, 2012
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3 - 17On Two Wheels to Aso April 24, 2012
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3 - 18Getting Lost in Pink Petals May 01, 2012
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3 - 19Ohenro Shikoku Pilgrimage Part 3: Ehime May 22, 2012
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3 - 20Ohenro Shikoku Pilgrimage Part 4: Kagawa May 29, 2012
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3 - 21A Classic Steam Train Trip: The Oigawa Railway June 05, 2012
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3 - 22Pristine Paradise: Iriomote, Okinawa June 12, 2012
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3 - 23Life in the Slow Lane: Taketomi, Okinawa June 19, 2012
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3 - 24Pure Alpine Waterscapes: Azumino and Kamikochi June 26, 2012
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3 - 25The Cinematic Cityscape of Kitakyushu July 03, 2012
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3 - 26Sapporo: The Good Life July 10, 2012
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3 - 27Going with the Flow: Ehime Prefecture July 17, 2012
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3 - 28Kumano Kodo Iseji Route August 07, 2012
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3 - 29Rishiri: From Sea to Summit August 14, 2012
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3 - 30Rebun: A Floating Garden August 21, 2012
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3 - 31Vibrant Colors, Ancient Tradition: Kanazawa August 28, 2012
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3 - 32Bounty from the Mountains, Sea and Plain: Yamagata September 04, 2012
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3 - 33Forest Sanctuary: Shirakami September 11, 2012
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3 - 34Samurai Spirit and Natural Treasures: Aizu, Fukushima Prefecture September 18, 2012
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3 - 35Japan's Traditional Blue: Tokushima's Indigo October 02, 2012
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3 - 36Craftsmanship Close to Nature: Asahikawa October 16, 2012
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3 - 37Beauty in the Everyday: Mashiko October 23, 2012
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3 - 38Rivers Run Through It: Beautiful Morioka October 30, 2012
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3 - 39Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture: Miso, the Taste of Tradition November 06, 2012
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3 - 40Fukuoka, Fukuoka Prefecture: Taste the Tradition of Fukuoka November 13, 2012
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3 - 41Japan's Wine Country: Katsunuma November 20, 2012
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3 - 42Abundant Sea: Sanriku Coast November 27, 2012
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3 - 43All About Matcha Green Tea: Matsue December 04, 2012
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3 - 44Haiku Poetry, Autumn Foliage: Otsu & Ogaki December 11, 2012