戦国時代以前からの伝統を持つとされる高田硯は、江戸時代には将軍家への献上品として重用され、宮本武蔵も愛用していたと伝わります。この硯の特徴は、気品あふれる漆黒の光沢で、「金眼」「銀糸」と呼ばれる模様があるものは特に逸品として珍重されてきました。原石は、名勝・神庭の滝近くの山中で採れる高田石。1億4千万年前頃の黒色粘板岩です。

The Takada inkstone, said to have a tradition dating back to before the Sengoku period, was highly valued as a tribute to the shogunate during the Edo period and is believed to have been favored by Miyamoto Musashi. Its distinctive feature is its elegant, jet-black luster. Inkstones with patterns called “Golden Eyes” and “Silver Threads” have been especially prized as exceptional pieces. The raw stone, Takada-ishi, is a black slate formed around 140 million years ago and is sourced from the mountains near the scenic Kanba Falls.