Strange Japanese black tablet in case

[Richard]

Ok, even though this was mixed in with some miliaria, I don't think this is WWII or military. It is an odd, flat stone like object which has a case and has a picture of bamboo with lots of Japanese writing on it. I'm wondering if anyone here can tell me what it is and what it says? Any help greatly appreciated.
Richard V

[chen]

Richard,
This is not Japanese item but Chinese. All the writings are Kanji.
Basically it is a memorial item which the author describes his renovation meeting in that part of China( see attached). The majority of the writing describes the beautiful scenery at that area.

[chen]

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[Richard]

Many thanks Chen. Just shows how little I know. Is this something common that a tablet such as this would be created as a memory item of traveling to a particular area? Any idea what the age of this might be?
Richard V

[chen]

Richard,
The name of that era ( pron:Wing Woo)is marked by purple. It is year 9.
Basically the author described the scenery and his feeling of the scenery.
There were 5 emperors in China using such Wing Woo for his period.
136 to 144, 345 to 356, 416-417,935, 1721 , but I doubt your one is an antique piece but rather a modern replica.
In ancient China, there were many poem writers traveling around China and making poems, so perhaps this is one of these kinds of poems.

PS) can you put some water on it and then rub to see whether it turns into black ink?

[bangbangsan]

西晋書法家王羲之（303-361）
https://zh.wikipedia.org/zh-tw/%E7%8...BE%B2%E4%B9%8B
蘭亭集序
https://zh.wikipedia.org/zh-tw/%E8%9...9B%86%E5%BA%8F
This tablet is modern made replica.

Richard,
The name of that era ( pron:Wing Woo)is marked by purple. It is year 9.
Basically the author described the scenery and his feeling of the scenery.
There were 5 emperors in China using such Wing Woo for his period.
136 to 144, 345 to 356, 416-417,935, 1721 , but I doubt your one is an antique piece but rather a modern replica.
In ancient China, there were many poem writers traveling around China and making poems, so perhaps this is one of these kinds of poems.

PS) can you put some water on it and then rub to see whether it turns into black ink?

[Richard]

Thank you both for the information. I didn't think it was anything of much value but was curious as to what it was. I did test it with water and a paper towel and some black came off on the paper towel, but not much. The case it is in is in too good of a shape to be very old.
Richard V

[chen]

If there is black ink coming out, then it is an ink stick.

[Richard]

Thank you for the additional information Chen. Though the pictures show the tablet being dipped in ink, I'm still not sure I understand what an ink stick does or is used for.
Richard V

[GHP]

Thank you for the additional information Chen. Though the pictures show the tablet being dipped in ink, I'm still not sure I understand what an ink stick does or is used for.
Richard V

The ink stick is the ink in solid form. It is rubbed in water on the ink stone, producing ink.

Now-a-days you can buy pre-mixed ink in bottles ... but if you study calligraphy, one of the first things you learn is how to mix ink.

Here, have a look: (forward to 3:44)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fweYYmWK2g

--Guy

[chen]

Richard,
The ink stick comes in solid form. The user will rub it on solid object with a recessed surface (to hold the ink) like the first picture. The second picture shows the generated ink with the brush.

[chen]

The ink stick is the ink in solid form. It is rubbed in water on the ink stone, producing ink.

Now-a-days you can buy pre-mixed ink in bottles ... but if you study calligraphy, one of the first things you learn is how to mix ink.

Here, have a look: (forward to 3:44)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fweYYmWK2g

--Guy

[Richard]

Thanks very much for all the information guys.
Richard V