The Legend Also known as "Ink-Wash Painting", sumi-e (墨絵) is an Japanese painting technique that focuses on differing concentrations of black ink to create beautiful pieces of art. Due to the style's reliance on a single color, it greatly emphasizes the skill in brush work of the artist in order to bring out the spiritual essence of the subject. As a single brush stroke cannot be erased once painted, sumi-e is an art form that demands incredible skill and dedication in addition to many years of training. The Ring Our SUMI-E ring takes inspiration from the black ink that sumi-e is famous for, resulting in a ring of folded high-carbon katana steel that is saturated in black. This coloring process reacts with the folds of the metals in different ways, creating numerous black striations of varying concentrations in order to remain true to the traditional concept behind sumi-e paintings. Like the rest of our accessories, the SUMI-E is crafted entirely by hand, and comes with a custom bamboo box. Custom Engraving Your SUMI-E can be inscribed with any design you wish. If you have ordered a custom engraving, drop us an email at [email protected] with your order number and the design you want! Stainless Option If you so choose, you can request for the smith to add chromium into the steel he hand-crafts for your accessory (which will give it the stainless quality) for an added cost. Select "Yes" under the stainless variant to indicate your desire for this option. It is highly recommended that you select the stainless option if you tend to have sweaty fingers, as sweat will potentially cause oxidization on the inner metal. For non-stainless variants, oxidization (if it occurs) can be managed with the use of a carbon steel eraser. Care As the finish on our SUMI-E ring is done through electroplating, it is important to note that constant or excessive physical friction will cause discoloration. We apply a layer of lacquer to the ring for initial protection, but it is highly recommended to replace this layer (both on the outside and inside of the ring) within a month or so using a jewelry sealant.
