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Any information on this item would be greatly appreciated. I believe it is Japanese- possibly and inkwell or ink tablet of some sort. It is 6 inches by 3 1/2 inches; appears to be made of a black slate or other stone material.

Your beautiful inkstone could be Chinese rather than Japanese. It is obviously of very fine quality. The inscription on the lid of its case is the famous HanShan poem, which is often reproduced, both as a rubbing off the original stone inscription or in their own style by various calligraphers.

Thank you for sharing.

Mikeoz

it's an inkstone: a block of stone with a well (here the heart shape) for water; a bit of water would be placed on the grinding surface and an inkstick ground against it to produce liquid ink for writing or painting. the cover looks to be inscribed in Chinese, the carving of the stone not special but these are popular nowadays and the lengthy inscription makes it more interesting.

Chinese inkstones have come in Japan centuries ago and have immediately been adopted and reproduced (not as forgeries, but as examples on which to be influenced). It is generally very difficult to say whether an inkstone is Chinese or Japanese. I would say only stone types very particular to specific areas are sure shots, next to inscribed inkstones where an owner or maker clearly gives an indication as to origin (if the stone is original and if the piece in terms of texture, workmanship, stone quality complies to the standards of the person in question).

There are far many more types of stones than usually believed and I have seen many myself in Japan, including stone types that I thought were only Chinese (note I am no inkstone expert, not geologist to be 100% sure about this). My guess would be that either Chinese material was also brought back from China and worked in Japan, or that similar (identical?) areas (in terms of geology) are to be found in Japan.

Wooden cases are also very common on Japanese examples, and as there were many Japanese cinophiles in Japan starting in the 17th century (eventually earlier, but I speak masses here!), it is not unusual to find Chinese texts on either stones or their cases.

With the pictures that you have provided here, it is in my opinion possible that the wooden case fits the stone, but without having been made for it. The calligraphy seems fine but the workmanship on the stone itself seems quite poor and basic in its nature. It is also possible that the piece was commissioned at a limited stone carver, but at a better woodworker/carver.

If everything is made in stone, it is also possible that the calligrapher diplayed good skills when he lacked carving method (if both were only done by the same person).

Very difficult to say.

Either Japanese or Chinese. As to dating, I would say 20th century, eventually older. Not sure still.

Good luck!

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