(*) Japanese calligraphy, also known as Shodo, traditionally uses inks made from charcoal, water, and animal-based glue. Here are some examples of inks commonly used in Japanese calligraphy:
Sumi: Sumi ink is made from burnt pine charcoal sticks mixed with water and animal-based glue to form a solid black ink. It is used to create rich and expressive black strokes in Japanese calligraphy.
Suzuri: Suzuri ink, also known as liquid ink, is made by rubbing a Sumi charcoal stick on an ink stone called Suzuri, adding water to create a liquid ink of the desired consistency. It is often used for gradients and nuances in calligraphy.
Nikko: Nikko ink is an ink made from wood ashes mixed with water and animal-based glue, which produces a thick and opaque black ink. It is used for large-scale calligraphy and to create strong contrasts between thick and thin strokes.
Gansai: Although technically not an ink, Gansai is a form of Japanese watercolor used in calligraphy to add color to works. Gansai is made from natural pigments mixed with animal-based glue and is usually used with water to create delicate and translucent tones.
It is important to note that some inks used in traditional Japanese calligraphy may contain animal-based glue, such as bone glue or animal skin glue. However, there are also modern inks available without animal-based glue for artists who prefer to avoid animal-derived products.