A is a small device used in East Asian calligraphy as a container designed to hold a small amount of water. In order to make ink a few drops of water are dropped onto the surface of an inkstone. By grinding an inkstick into this water on the inkstone, particles come off and mix with the water, forming ink.
Water-droppers may be made of copper, jade or other stone, or ceramic. A water-dropper has two small holes for water and air, and is designed so that only a few drops of water can fall at one time.suiteki 水滴 ; aisf.or.jp, consulted on: 2012-12-31
There are a few types of water-droppers.
Type of water-dropper Hanzi / Kanji Pinyin Rōmaji Water-dropper with pouring spout and a handle Water-droppers in diverse forms with large openings Jar-like water-droppers with large opening Frog shaped water-dropper
Notes
References
External links An Introduction to Shodo: Japanese Calligraphy Fish shaped water dropper at the Art Gallery of New South Wales Water droppers at the University of Michigan Museum of Art Water droppers at the British Museum "Object of the Week: Rat water dropper" from the Seattle Museum of Art