The person who improved the writing brush using rabbit hair was Meng Tian from Qin Dynasty.
The origin of improved rabbit hair brushes can be traced back to the Tang Dynasty. At that time, the writing brushes among the Four Treasures of the Study were made of rabbit fur, but rabbit fur was expensive and easily damaged, so people began to look for other materials to replace rabbit fur.
During the search, someone discovered a plant called "Mazha Dao", whose leaf fibers are very suitable for making brushes. As a result, people began to use this plant fiber to improve brushes, thereby avoiding the use of rabbit hair.
As time went by, people discovered a kind of animal hair called "wolf hair". Its texture is very similar to rabbit hair, and the price is much cheaper than rabbit hair. As a result, people began to use this material to make brushes, and gradually spread it throughout the country.
Things to note when buying brushes
1. Wool material: The wool materials of brushes usually include sheep hair, wolf hair, jian hair, etc. Yang hair is soft, suitable for writing regular script and running script; Lang hair is hard, suitable for writing small regular script and running cursive; combined hair is moderately soft and hard, suitable for beginners. Choose the appropriate wool based on your calligraphy level and needs.
2. Brush edge: Brush edge determines the elasticity of the brush. Generally speaking, the longer the stroke, the more elastic it is, and is suitable for writing cursive and regular script; the shorter the stroke, the less elastic it is, and is suitable for writing official script and seal script.
3. Pen holder: The pen holder should be straight and the surface should be smooth to prevent the hand from sliding when writing. Common materials for pen holders include bamboo, plastic, horn, etc.
4. Pen cap: The pen cap should fit closely with the pen body to ensure the dryness and protection of the brush.
5. Price: The price of good brushes is usually not too cheap, but you don’t have to pursue high prices too much. The one that suits you is the best.
6. Brand: Try to choose well-known brands with guaranteed quality. At the same time, you can refer to the recommendations of some calligraphers or professionals.
For the above content, please refer to Baidu Encyclopedia - Writing Brush