Research on the transition of indian ink making technology

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K13413
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 03050:Archaeology-related
• Research Institution: Kashihara Archaeological Institute , Nara prefecture
• Principal Investigator: OKAMI TOMOKI 奈良県立橿原考古学研究所, その他部局等, 特別研究員 (10739147)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 墨 / 走査型電子顕微鏡 / 板石硯 / 墨書土器 / ラマン / ミュオン

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, we clarified the difference in the india ink making method and the quality of the ink from the diameter of the ink particles attached to the ink calligraphy pottery and inkstone excavated from the site.
Around AD, when the use of india ink began, particles slightly larger than the ink particles from ancient Japan could be confirmed from inkstones excavated from the Western Han.On the other hand, no ink particles could be confirmed from the incrustation of stone products, which are said to be inkstones of the Yayoi period in Japan.
According to the materials excavated in Japan, the size of the india　ink particles differs depending on the region, time, and archaeological site, and the difference in the ink making method and the quality of the ink used was clarified.

Free Research Field

考古学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

これまで、墨に関して科学的な分析は個別の分析ばかりで網羅的な分析はされてこなかった。本研究では、前漢代から中世までの時代の資料、中国および日本国内各地の資料の分析を実施した。この研究により、墨をとおして東アジア全体の”漢字”を中心とした文化の形成過程や広がりを明らかにするための基礎的な成果を得ることができた。