The four treasures of the study are traditional writing tools in the Chinese character culture circle, namely brush, ink, paper and inkstone. It originated in China and then spread to Japan, the Korean Peninsula, Vietnam, Ryukyu and other places.
Since the Song Dynasty, the "Four Treasures of the Study" refer to Hu brush (Huzhou, Zhejiang Province), Hui ink (Huizhou, Anhui Province), rice paper (Xuanzhou, Anhui Province), and Duan inkstone (Zhaoqing, Guangdong Province, known as Duanzhou in ancient times). They not only have It has practical value and is also a work of art that integrates painting, calligraphy, sculpture, decoration, etc.
The name "Four Treasures of the Study" originated from the Northern and Southern Dynasties (420-589). The name "Wenfang" means "the place where the country is in charge of writing and writing" (equivalent to the national database), because ancient Chinese literati Pens, ink, rice paper, and inkstones should be used frequently. They are the four must-have treasures in a literati's study. In the Southern Tang Dynasty, the "Four Treasures of the Study" referred to Zhuge's pen, Li Ting's ink from Huizhou, Chengxintang paper, and Longwei inkstone from Wuyuan, Jiangxi.
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Origin
The tools and materials of Chinese calligraphy basically evolved from pens, ink, paper, and inkstones. People usually They are called the "Four Treasures of the Study", which roughly means they are the four must-have treasures in a scholar's study. Because basically all ancient Chinese literati could write, draw, or both, and they could not do without these four treasures: pen, ink, paper, and inkstone.
The name "study" originated from the Southern and Northern Dynasties in Chinese history (420--589 AD). It specifically refers to the study room of literati, with pens, ink, paper and inkstones used in the study room. , and is known as the "Four Treasures of the Study".
In addition to the Four Treasures, study utensils include pen holders, pen holders, ink beds, ink cartridges, armrests, pen washers, bookweights, water bottles, water spoons, inkstone drops, inkstone boxes, ink pads, and seals. Boxes, cutters, stamps, scrolls, etc. are also essential items in the study.
Reference: Baidu Encyclopedia Four Treasures of the Study