Calligraphy
Yasutomo Bokuju Sumi Liquid Ink — 2oz Black Ink for Calligraphy & Drawing
Product description
Yasutomo Bokuju Bokuju liquid sumi ink arrives as a ready-to-use black drawing ink in sealed bottles. It’s offered in three capacities — 2 oz, 6 oz and 12 oz — so you can choose a small bottle for occasional use or larger sizes for studio work. Each bottle contains liquid carbon-black pigment suspended in an ink vehicle formulated for traditional and contemporary techniques.
The pigment base is carbon black, which produces a rich, opaque black that dries to a matte surface. Once fully dry on most papers, the ink resists water, allowing artists to layer water-based paints or markers over it without heavy reactivation. The viscosity makes it suitable for Japanese ink brushes, dip pen nibs, and fine-point drawing pens.
This ink is versatile in handling: dilute with water to create pale greys and washed effects, or combine it with gum arabic to increase gloss and body, with acrylic medium to adhere to primed surfaces, or with fabric medium for textile applications. While it is traditionally used on rice paper and sumi-practice sheets, these mixing options expand its use to paper, cloth, and primed boards for illustration and mixed-media projects.
Application is straightforward — shake gently, decant if desired, and use with your chosen brush or nib. The formula produces a consistent flow and a velvety matte finish even when diluted into softer tones. The packaging is a sealed bottle sized for the selected capacity so you can store partial quantities between sessions.
Pros
- Deep, opaque matte black
- Water-resistant after drying for layering
- Dilutable and mixes with various art mediums
Cons
- Small bottle neck may not suit direct dipping
- Not formulated for permanent adhesion to unglazed ceramics
- May require decanting for easy nib access
VerdictA deeply pigmented sumi ink that delivers opaque, matte black lines and washes. It’s formulated from carbon black for smudge-resistant marks once dry and adapts well to brushes, dip pens, and mixed-media applications. Best suited for calligraphy, illustration, and layered artwork.
Reviews
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Karolina Adams 5/5
Opaque and easy on arthritic hands
I use it despite arthritis and appreciate how opaque it is. A little goes a long way and it covers well.
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Grace C 5/5
High quality for lettering
Lovely, reliable ink — excellent for calligraphy. Flows smoothly and produces crisp strokes. Would recommend to other lettering enthusiasts.
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EDWIN ANGEL CACERES POBLETE 5/5
Pequeño pero de calidad
El tamaño puede parecer pequeño, pero viene protegido y el negro es muy intenso, ideal para plumillas de caligrafía.
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Amy R 5/5
Truly opaque black
I usually work with India-ink pens but wanted to try dip pens. This ink matched the depth of my favorite pens. It lays down more liquid so it feels slower to dry, likely because more is deposited on the paper. My only issues: the tall narrow 2 oz bottle makes direct dipping awkward so I poured into another dish, and the top appeared to have had a removed seal even though the bottle was wrapped.
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Laurie 5/5
Well-regarded and performs
Recommended by instructors and it lived up to expectations. Arrived promptly and works well for calligraphy and illustration.
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Cecelia Feliciano 4/5
Nice presentation, ready to try
The package arrived clean and the bottle looked fine. I haven’t used it yet but I’m excited to start testing it in the next few days and appreciate the brand’s reputation.
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JayJ 5/5
Good coverage, use sparingly
The black is very opaque, exactly what I wanted. Bought for dip-pen work but switched to fine brushes for detail. It mixes well for washes if diluted carefully; no extra water needed for thin work.
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Natasha 5/5
Rich, velvety black and great tactile finish
After a calligraphy course suggestion I tried sumi ink and am very pleased. It works well with brushes and nibs, flows smoothly, and the dried matte surface has a pleasant feel. I used it with brush pens and dip nibs and will keep using it for both lettering and illustration.
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Stacy Murphy 1/5
Not permanent on pottery
I tested it on pottery but the ink came off after a few hours of drying. Good for paper, but not what I needed for ceramic permanence.
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