spottone
2005-06-28 by john kelly
The traditional alternative to Spottone was Japanese ink stick (for sumi & calligraphy). My own bottle of Spottone is now at least 20 years old, should give 20 more...I wonder why they quit :-)...a Japanese ink stick should last centuries. Don't know what's in them, but it's traditionally squid ink...undoubtedly "archival." Check your local Japanese gift shop or grocery, or maybe your art supply store.