硯(すずり)

すずり
noun
inkstone
1. inkstone
A stone slab used for grinding solid ink sticks with water to produce liquid ink for calligraphy or painting.
硯(すずり)で墨(すみ)をする。
To grind ink on an inkstone.
祖父(そふ)から硯(すずり)を譲(ゆず)り受(う)けた。
I inherited an inkstone from my grandfather.
書道(しょどう)には良(よ)い硯(すずり)が必要(ひつよう)だ。
Good calligraphy requires a quality inkstone.

CALLIGRAPHY EQUIPMENT:

One of the 文房四宝(ぶんぼうしほう) (Four Treasures of the Study):

  • 筆(ふで): brush
  • 墨(すみ): ink stick
  • 硯(すずり): inkstone
  • 紙(かみ): paper

STRUCTURE:

A 硯(すずり) typically has:

  • 陸(おか)/丘(おか): the flat grinding surface
  • 海(うみ)/池(いけ): the depression where the liquid ink collects

QUALITY:

Fine inkstones are prized by calligraphers. Famous varieties include:

  • 端渓硯(たんけいけん) from China (Duanxi)
  • 雨畑硯(あまはたすずり) from Japan (Yamanashi Prefecture)

USE:
A 墨(すみ) (ink stick) is ground in circular motions on the 硯(すずり) with a small amount of water to produce ink of the desired consistency.

Related Words

Related: 墨(すみ) (ink stick)
Related: 書道(しょどう) (calligraphy)
general
Added 2026.1.17 12:46 · Revised 2026.1.19 21:17
06000/06124_suzuri