Japan inkstone artisan follows father's path, hopes children discover joy of grinding
ISHINOMAKI, Miyagi -- As Japanese calligraphy moves closer to being added to UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list, the prospect has brought joy
In the Ogatsu district of Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture, the craft of inkstone making has been passed down through generations. The Endo family, renowned for its inkstones, is a prime example. Hiroyuki Endo, 73, continues to follow his father Moriyuki's path in this traditional trade. Moriyuki, who died in 1999, began his career after leaving a family stone-quarrying business and later devoted himself to crafting inkstones.
He possessed a keen eye for selecting the finest stone, which he believed was crucial for preserving the art form. Hiroyuki, the second son, left high school early and moved to Tokyo, working in advertising before returning to Ogatsu. Captivated by his father's artistic inkstones, he decided to pursue the craft. Their father-son partnership led to the creation of unique, one-of-a-kind inkstones.
In March 2011, a tsunami destroyed their home and workshop, but Hiroyuki found a precious inkstone his father had made. Encouraged, he reopened his workshop in a prefabricated building and continues to craft inkstones, hoping to inspire future generations to appreciate this traditional art.
Written by urgent.news from The Mainichi's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
