noun
India ink; Chinese ink; ink stick
Refers to the solid ink stick used in calligraphy and painting, or the liquid ink made from it. Also used for the ink itself in general contexts.
書道の授業で墨をすった。
I ground an ink stick in calligraphy class.
この墨はとてもいい香りがする。
This ink stick has a very nice fragrance.
noun
squid ink; octopus ink
Commonly used for the dark ink released by squid and octopus, especially in cooking contexts.
イカ墨のパスタが好きです。
I like squid ink pasta.
noun
carpenter's inking string
Refers to the ink-soaked string used in traditional carpentry for marking straight lines; often part of the tool 墨壺 (すみつぼ).
See also: 墨繩 (すみなわ)
大工さんが墨を使って材木に線を引いた。
The carpenter marked a line on the lumber using an inking string.