奈良の墨は古く天平時代から1300年の歴史をもつ奈良を代表する伝統産業です。奈良の墨は「南都油煙墨」と呼ばれ、室町時代に興福寺の二諦坊で作られた油墨が起源とされます。 江戸時代に入ると各地で製造されましたが、技術の高い奈良に多くの職人が集まったため、奈良は全国シェア約90％を誇る墨の主要産地となりました。

Nara ink, with a history dating back 1,300 years to the Tempyo era, is a traditional industry that represents Nara. Known as “Nanto Soot Ink,” it originated from oil-based ink made at Nitaibo of Kofukuji Temple during the Muromachi period. Although ink production spread across various regions during the Edo period, many skilled craftsmen gathered in Nara due to its advanced techniques, making Nara the leading production area, with around 90% of the national market share for ink.