Chinese Calligraphy – the Four Treasures of Study

The four treasures of the study are the unique calligraphy and painting tools (painting and calligraphy tools) in China, namely pen、ink、paper、Inkstone.

The name of the four treasures of the study originated from the Northern and Southern Dynasties period.

Historically, the things referred to by the “Four Treasures of Study” have changed frequently. In the Southern Tang Dynasty, the “Four Treasures of the Study” specifically referred to Anhui Xuancheng Zhuge pen、 Anhui Huizhou Lee Ting Kyu ink、Anhui Huizhou Chengxintang paper、Anhui Huizhou Wuyuan Dragon Tail Inkstone.

Since the Song Dynasty, the “Four Treasures of the Study” specifically refer to Xuan pen（AnhuiXuancheng）、Emblem ink（AnhuiHuizhou She County), Xuan paper（AnhuiXuancheng Jingxian）、Inkstone（AnhuiHuizhou She County）、Tao Inkstone（Gansu Zhuoni County）、Inkstone(Guangdong Zhaoqing, The ancient name Duanzhou）.

Yuan Dynastyafter, Lake pen(Zhejiang Huzhou) Gradually flourishing, Xuan pen gradually declining, after the reform and opening up, Xuan pen gradually returned to life.

Many Chinese appliances are unique. They not only show the customs of the Chinese nation that are different from other nations but also contribute to the progress and development of world culture. The most typical of them are the writing tools known as the “Four Treasures of the Study”: paper, pen, ink, and Inkstone.

origin

The tools and materials of Chinese calligraphy basically evolved from the pen, ink, paper, and Inkstone. People usually call them the “Four Treasures of the Study”, roughly speaking, they are the four essential treasures in the literati study.

Because ancient Chinese literati are basically capable of writing, or painting, or both reading and painting, they cannot do without peninkpaperInkstoneThese four treasures.

The name “Study Room” originated from the Northern and Southern Dynasties period in my country’s history (420-589 AD). It specifically refers to the scholar’s study room. Pen, ink, paper, and Inkstone were used as the study room and were used by people. Known as the “Four Treasures of the Study”. Stationery equipment in addition to the four treasures, there are pen tube、pen rack、ink bed、ink box、Arm rest、pen wash、Book town、Minato, Spoon, Inkstone drops、 Inkstone box、Inkpad、Printing box、Cutter、stamp、reel and so on, they are all essential items in the study.

Paper

Paper is a great invention of China. Although there are tens of millions of paper varieties in the world, ” Xuan paper” is still a unique handmade paper for Hair pen painting and calligraphy. Xuan paper has a flexible texture, white and smooth texture, durable color, and strong water absorption. It has the reputation of “paper with a thousand years of life” in the world.

Writing brush

Writing brush is a unique writing and painting tool that used feathers to write with feathers in ancient Chinese and Western nations. Although lead pens, ball pens, steel pens, etc. are popular in the world today, writing brushes cannot be replaced.

It is said that the Hair pen was created by Meng Tian, so Houdian, Hengshui County, Hebei Province, known as the hometown of the Hair pen, is on the third day of the third lunar month. It is like a Chinese New Year, every family makes dumplings and drinks to celebrate the creation of Meng Tian’s Hair pen. Since the Yuan Dynasty, the “Lake pen” produced in Huzhou, Zhejiang Province, which has the characteristics of “sharp, round and healthy”, has become the most famous in the country. Hair penVariety.

Ink

Ink is the color material for writing and painting. Famous Ink Craftsman in Tang Dynasty Xi ChaoThe good ink of Xi Ting father-son system was appreciated by Li Yu, the post-master of the Southern Tang Dynasty, and his family gave the country the surname “Li”. From” Li ink”The name is all over the world. In the Song Dynasty, She County, where Li ink was produced, was renamed Huizhou, and “Li ink” was renamed “Emblem ink”.

Inkstone

Inkstone, commonly known as Inkstone station, Is a tool for Chinese writing, painting and grinding pigments. Inkstone was popular in the Han Dynasty, and it has been widely used in the Song Dynasty. There are many varieties in the Ming and Qing dynasties, and the “four famous Inkstone” appeared by people. Tao Inkstone, Inkstone, She Inkstone and Cheng Ni Inkstone. Ancient Chinese literati attached great importance to Inkstone, not only staying with it all day long, but also using it for burial after death.

The four treasures of the study are unique. They not only show the customs of the Chinese nation that are different from other nations but also contribute to the progress and development of world culture and national culture. Today, China is in a new period of advancing towards modernization. Understanding the excellent Chinese culture of the past is precisely to create the new culture of the future. This is extremely important for improving national self-esteem and strengthening national cohesion.