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 An inkstone is traditional Chinese stationery. It is a stone mortar for the grinding and containment of ink. In addition to stone, inkstones are also manufactured from clay, bronze, iron, and porcelain. The device evolved from a rubbing tool us ...

. 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.

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External links

Fish shaped water dropper at the Art Gallery of New South WalesWater droppers at the University of Michigan Museum of ArtWater droppers at the British Museum"Object of the Week: Rat water dropper" from the Seattle Museum of Art
{{China-stub Visual arts materials Chinese calligraphy Chinese inventions Japanese calligraphy