Inksticks (Chinese: 墨 ; Japanese: 墨
Sumi; Korean: 먹
Meok) or Ink Cakes are a type of solid ink (
India ink) used traditionally in several
East Asian cultures for calligraphy and
brush painting. Inksticks are made mainly of
soot and
animal glue, sometimes with
incense or medicinal scents added. To make ink from the inkstick, it has to be continuously ground against an
inkstone with a small quantity of water to produce a dark liquid which is then applied with an
ink brush. Artists and calligraphists may vary the thickness of the resulting ink according to their preferences by reducing or increasing the intensity and time of ink grinding.