# Best Sumi Ink for Calligraphy and Brush Lettering Source: https://calligraphynest.com/best/best-sumi-ink Updated: 2026-10-20 Publisher: Calligraphy Nest. Our score is an editorial rating out of 10 (fit 35%, features 25%, build 20%, value 20%), not a customer rating. Method: https://calligraphynest.com/how-we-research#our-score Sumi ink has anchored East Asian brush writing for centuries, and it is still one of the most satisfying blacks you can put on paper. A good bottle delivers a deep, velvety tone that dries to a soft matte finish, flows cleanly from brushes and dip pens alike, and holds crisp hairlines without feathering. The real decision is convenience versus ritual: ready-to-use liquid sumi gives you consistent density in seconds, while traditional ink sticks ground on a stone let you tune darkness stroke by stroke. This guide compares the liquid sumi inks that perform most reliably for calligraphy and brush lettering, with notes on opacity, drying time, and behavior on absorbent papers. ## Picks ### 1. Moon Palace Sumi Ink 180ml (Kaimei, Made in Japan) Our score: 8.7/10 (Fit for the job 10/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 9/10) Moon Palace Kaimei sumi ink in a 180ml bottle, made in Japan and popular with both shodo and pointed pen calligraphers. Pros: - Smooth, dark sumi flows beautifully from pointed nibs for crisp hairlines - Big 180ml bottle gives lots of ink for the price of a premium brand - Made in Japan by Kaimei, a long-established ink maker Cons: - Sumi can thicken over time, so it may need a few drops of water to thin - Large bottle is awkward for dipping, so decant into a small well Details: https://calligraphynest.com/product/B001C70A8W ### 2. Moon Palace Sumi Ink for Calligraphy - Premium Dip Pen Ink for Copperplate with Ink Well and Pen Rest Our score: 8.4/10 (Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10) Moon Palace sumi ink for copperplate dip pens, bundled with an ink well and pen rest for a tidy pointed pen setup. Pros: - Bundled ink well and pen rest make it a ready-to-go copperplate starter - Moon Palace sumi gives fine hairlines and dark, glossy shades - Aimed at dip pen use, so viscosity suits pointed nibs out of the box Cons: - Bundle costs more than a plain bottle if you already own a well and rest - Check the ink quantity included in the bundle before buying Details: https://calligraphynest.com/product/B0C5RSJW2G ### 3. Yasutomo Bokuju Liquid Ink - 6oz Sumi Ink for Calligraphy and Artwork Our score: 8.1/10 (Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10) Yasutomo Bokuju liquid sumi ink in a 6oz bottle, a larger supply for regular brush calligraphy and artwork. Pros: - Larger 6oz bottle suits students and daily shodo practice - Bokuju liquid ink is ready to pour, so sessions start immediately - Rich black works for both calligraphy characters and sumi-e painting Cons: - Big bottle takes longer to use up and can thicken if left open - Pouring from a large bottle is messier than dipping from a small well Details: https://calligraphynest.com/product/B0026I4UK0 ### 4. Kuretake Sumi Calligraphy & Comic Ink - 60 ml Bottle - Black Our score: 8.1/10 (Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10) Kuretake Sumi calligraphy and comic ink in a 60 ml black bottle, a versatile ink for brush lettering and manga inking. Pros: - Rated for both calligraphy and comics, so it handles brushes and dip nibs alike - Kuretake is a historic Japanese sumi maker with dependable ink quality - Rich black reads crisply when scanning lettering for digital use Cons: - 60 ml bottle is modest for students doing large brush characters every day - Some sumi inks stay slightly soluble, so test before painting washes on top Details: https://calligraphynest.com/product/B006CQTNT0 ### 5. Yasutomo Liquid Sumi Ink, 2oz, Black (KF2) Our score: 7.7/10 (Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10) Yasutomo liquid sumi ink in a 2oz bottle, ready-to-use black ink for brush calligraphy and ink wash painting. Pros: - Ready-to-use liquid saves the time of grinding an ink stick - Deep black dilutes well with water for grey washes and tonal effects - Small bottle is a low-risk way to try sumi ink for brush work Cons: - 2oz bottle goes quickly if you practice large brush characters daily - Liquid sumi lacks the subtle tone control of a freshly ground ink stick Details: https://calligraphynest.com/product/B000AMLR8M ### 6. Kuretake Zig Special Black Ink 60ml, for dip Pen, Brush, Drawing, Calligraphy, Illustration, Lettering, for Professional, Artists, Manga, Made in Japan Our score: 7.6/10 (Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 7/10) Kuretake Zig Special Black Ink, 60ml, a smudge-proof black for dip pen and brush from the same Japanese maker as the old Cartoonist bottle. Pros: - Designed for brush and dip pen in a wide-mouth 60ml container that is easy to load. - Dries matte black and is described as resistant to bleeding with alcohol markers or watercolor once fully dry. - Kuretake has made ink since 1902, and the listing names calligraphy and lettering among its uses. Cons: - Described as a black drawing ink with sumi roots, not a traditional stick-style sumi. - Priced above the old Cartoonist bottle for the same 60ml volume. Details: https://calligraphynest.com/product/B08HMKTZKM ### 7. Easyou Redstar Liquid Ink for Professioanl Traditional Calligraphy and Brush Painting Chinese Ink Liquid (Black&1pcs*180ML) Our score: 7.2/10 (Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10) Easyou Redstar liquid sumi ink, 180ml, made from oil soot for Chinese and Japanese calligraphy and brush painting. Same bottle size as the old pick. Pros: - Liquid sumi from oil soot, listed for traditional calligraphy and brush painting. - The 180ml size matches the old pick and absorbs well into xuan paper, with a deep black luster. - Made by an Anhui ink mill using traditional methods, per the listing. Cons: - Aimed at brush work on xuan paper, so pointed-pen use may suit it less. - Little detail on waterproofing, and the listing text has spelling errors. Details: https://calligraphynest.com/product/B074KJ289G ### 8. Daiso Sumi Calligraphy Liquid Ink in a 180ml Bottle (Japan Import) Our score: 7.1/10 (Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 5/10 · Build and materials 6/10 · Value 9/10) Daiso sumi calligraphy liquid ink in a 180ml bottle, a budget Japan import for everyday brush practice. Pros: - Large 180ml bottle is a cheap way to keep plenty of practice ink on hand - Japanese store staple made for school-level shodo practice - Ready-to-use liquid means no grinding before a quick session Cons: - Budget ink is less refined, so blacks can look flat in finished pieces - Import listing may have Japanese-only labeling and variable availability Details: https://calligraphynest.com/product/B0039OQ0J4 As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.