Kurenai-hana 1.0-chō (Kobaien)

Safflower Oil Lampray Ink - Kurenai Hana

Features of Kurenai Hana
Kurenai Hana is lampray ink made from oil extracted from safflower seeds, producing 60 momme of lampray smoke.
(Note: "Momme" is a Japanese unit of mass, defined as 3.75g.) When used as thick ink, it is pure black, and when used as thin ink, it is a brownish-purple black.
Use for kana, copying sutras, and other creative projects.

A comprehensive guide to the exhibits at a regional product exhibition organized by Hiraga Gennai (1728-1779), a renowned Edo period scholar, mentions Kobaien's "Safflower Seed Oil Smoke Ink" (ink made from oil soot extracted from safflower seeds).
This ink was reproduced in 1998 using the Koho-bune style for use in clean kana writing and copying ancient calligraphy.

Kana works/copying of sutras
Oil smoke ink
Dark ink: Pure black / Light ink: Brown-purple black