Independence Martyr’s Ink Stone Found in Japan

The ink stone allegedly used by Korean independence martyr Ahn Joong-geun has been found in Japan.

An elderly Japanese dentist in Saitama Prefecture said he bought the ink stone at a Manchu Railroad collection auction. In April this year, he donated it to Dairin Temple in Miyagi Prefecture, which houses a memorial tablet honoring Ahn.

The ink stone measures 7.5 centimeters wide, 13.3 centimeters high and one centimeter deep, and bears the inscription “Gyeongsul March, Luishun Prison, Ahn Joong-geun” on the back. Gyeongsul refers to 1910, when Ahn was executed in prison, and experts say he probably used the ink stone until his execution in a Chinese prison on March 26, 1910.

The dentist also donated an ink stick thought to be used by Ahn. Fumio Kusunoki, a lecturer at Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music, said, “I was sure it was real after comparing the handwriting with Ahn’s.”

Dairin Temple also houses a memorial tablet to Jiba Doshichi, a Japanese military policeman, and holds a Buddhist service for him every year. Temple abbot Saito Yashuhiko said, “Ahn might have used the ink stone to write Jiba a message. We will consider how to return (the ink stone) to Korea.”

In Seoul, Lee Nae-ok, remains management director at the National Museum of Korea, said, “Lee Dong-gook of the Seoul Calligraphy Art Museum under Seoul Arts Center recently went to Japan and confirmed that the ink stone was Ahn’s after comparing the handwriting on it with Ahn’s,”

“But since Lee is a calligraphy expert, we need an ink stone expert to confirm if it is real or not.”

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