濃墨

こずみ
noun
dark ink; thick sumi ink
arttool
1. dark ink; thick, deep-black sumi ink
Sumi ink ground to a deep, dark black, as opposed to 薄墨(うすずみ) (pale, watered-down ink). Used in calligraphy and traditional writing, and standard for congratulatory or formal correspondence.
濃墨(こずみ)で名前(なまえ)を書(か)く。
I write the name in dark ink.
お祝(いわ)いの手紙(てがみ)は濃墨(こずみ)で書(か)くのが礼儀(れいぎ)だ。
It is proper etiquette to write congratulatory letters in dark ink.
書道(しょどう)の先生(せんせい)は、力強(ちからづよ)い線(せん)には濃墨(こずみ)が欠(か)かせないと言(い)った。
The calligraphy teacher said that dark ink is essential for powerful strokes.

The counterpart of 薄墨(うすずみ) (pale ink). In traditional correspondence the depth of the ink carries meaning: deep black ink is used for happy or formal occasions, while pale ink signals mourning.

Common collocations

  • 濃墨(こずみ)で書(か)く: to write in dark ink
  • 濃墨(こずみ)を磨(す)る: to grind (make) dark ink

Similar words

Related Words

Compare: 薄墨 (pale ink)
Compare: 墨汁(ぼくじゅう) (liquid sumi ink)
general
Added 2026.7.12 6:17 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
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