Although inkstone ranks first in the ranking of "pen, ink, paper and inkstone", on the one hand, it is in a leading position. The so-called "Four Treasures of the Study" inkstone is the first because of its solid texture and can be passed down from generation to generation. Therefore, in today's Four Treasures of the Study, inkstone is the most common and popular.
The tools and materials of China's calligraphy are basically evolved from pen, ink, paper and inkstone. People usually call them "Four Treasures of the Study", which roughly means that they are the necessary Four Treasures of the Study for a scholar to study. Because China ancient literati can basically write and draw, or both, they can't do without the four treasures of pen, ink, paper and inkstone.
Extended data
Inkstone, also known as "Inkstone", was praised by the ancients as "the first in Four Treasures of the Study". Because ink can only be called by adding water to grind it, and the stone punishment for sending ink is inkstone. Among them are pottery, clay, bricks, metals, lacquerware, porcelain, stones and so on. The most common is inkstone.
There are many stones that can be used as inkstones. China is vast in territory and abundant in natural resources, with famous mountains and rivers everywhere. Where there are stones, there must be masons, so the origin of inkstone is all over the country.
The inkstone needs to be cleaned frequently and cannot be polluted. Every inkstone must be clean and fresh. In Mo Ding, the older the better. As time goes on, its glue will naturally dissolve, but water can't be stored and must be replaced. If you are afraid of oil, you can wash it with lotus flowers or old tea leaves. It is best to add water at a slight temperature, and do not add it to the boiling water value to prevent it from bursting. Therefore, calligraphers should not only use inkstones, but also raise them.
Baidu encyclopedia-Yantai
Baidu Encyclopedia-Four Treasures of the Study