Where the glue was melted
The Kobaien Copper Pot House (古梅園銅壺場, Kōbaien Dōkoba) in Tsubaicho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture, is the copper pot house where animal glue was melted at Kobaien, the sumi ink maker founded in 1577; it was built in the early Shōwa era (from 1926) and registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property on 1998/01/16 (number 29-0016). The Kobaien Copper Pot House stands west of the bathhouse, a deep building with thick plastered walls. It is where animal glue, the second main ingredient of ink, was melted. The floor is beaten earth, and the roof structure is left open with no ceiling.
The Agency for Cultural Affairs dates it to the early Shōwa era: timber, single storey, tiled, with a building area of 35 square metres.
Two brick hearths and a square chimney
The south end is a passage, and on the north side 2 brick-built hearths are set in place, with a square brick chimney beside them. Kobaien explains that the glue is placed in copper pots called tanpo and warmed slowly in water at 70 degrees until it dissolves, and the building takes its name, dōkoba, from those copper pots.
The melted glue is mixed with soot at 100 to 60, with fragrance added, and kneaded. Outside, the plastered west gable wall stands out, the Agency notes. The Kobaien Copper Pot House handled the glue, on which much of the quality of the ink depends.
Seeing it
The Kobaien Copper Pot House lies inside the Kobaien property and is not open to the public; it can scarcely be seen from the street or the lanes.
Kobaien takes factory visits by reservation, with a hand-gripped ink experience in the ink-making season; ask when booking which buildings the visit includes. Shop hours, how to book a factory visit and directions from the station are on the Kobaien page.
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- Find tours, activities & transport passes near Kobaien Copper Pot House
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Q&A
- What was the Kobaien Copper Pot House used for?
- Melting animal glue for ink; Kobaien says it is warmed in copper pots called tanpo at 70 degrees.
- What is inside the Kobaien Copper Pot House?
- An earth floor under an open roof, 2 brick hearths on the north side and a square brick chimney.
- How large is the Kobaien Copper Pot House?
- A single-storey timber building of 35 square metres.
- Can visitors see the Kobaien Copper Pot House?
- It is not open to the public. Factory visits are by reservation; ask Kobaien what the visit covers.
- When was the Kobaien Copper Pot House registered as a cultural property?
- On 1998/01/16, as Registered Tangible Cultural Property number 29-0016.
Basic Information
| Name | Kobaien Copper Pot House (古梅園銅壺場) |
|---|---|
| Location | 7 Tsubakiicho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture |
| Designation | National Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure); registration number 29-0016 |
| Year Designated | Registered 1998/01/16 (Heisei 10) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Timber, single storey, tiled roof; building area 35 square metres |
| Owner | Kobaien Co., Ltd. |
| Public Access | Not open to the public (factory visits by reservation) |
References
- Database of National Cultural Properties (Agency for Cultural Affairs) — Kobaien Copper Pot House
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00000464
- Cultural Heritage Online — Kobaien Copper Pot House
- https://online.bunka.go.jp/heritages/detail/113344
- Kobaien Co., Ltd. — Company profile and opening hours
- https://kobaien.jp/profile.html
- Kobaien Co., Ltd. — How sumi is made
- https://kobaien.jp/sumitanjyo.html
Last verified: 2026.10.02
