Introduction of Yantai

Inkstone, also known as inkstone, is one of the traditional Han handicrafts. Ink stone, pen, ink and paper are called the traditional Four Treasures of the Study in China, and they are the necessary tools for China's calligraphy. Liu Xi's Interpretation of Names in the Han Dynasty explained: "Those who write inkstones can study ink, but they can study ink, which makes the messenger flexible.". It evolved from a grinder in primitive society. In the early days, the shape of inkstone was primitive. It is made of a small millstone pressed with ink pills on a smooth stone tool and ground into ink. By the Han dynasty, there were carvings on the inkstone platform, and there were enough under the stone cover. From the Wei, Jin, Sui and Tang Dynasties, a round porcelain inkstone appeared, which was more than three feet long. The dustpan-shaped inkstone is a common kind of inkstone in Tang Dynasty, similar to dustpan. One end of the inkstone falls to the ground, and the other end is supported by feet. During the Tang and Song Dynasties, the shapes of inkstones became more diversified. The use of inkstone materials is also very extensive, among which Duanyan in Zhaoqing, Guangdong, Taohe inkstone in Shexian, Anhui, Taohe inkstone in Zhuoni, Gansu and Chengni inkstone in Jiangxian, Shanxi are the most prominent, and they are also called "four famous inkstones". After Qin and Han Dynasties, Wei and Jin Dynasties and Tang Dynasty, stones suitable for making inkstones were found everywhere, and inkstones were mainly made. Among them, Guangdong Duanzhou inkstone, Anhui Zhoujuan inkstone and Gansu Lintao Taohe inkstone are called Duanzhou inkstone, Juanyan inkstone and Taohe inkstone respectively. History books call Duan, Juan and Lintao three famous inkstones. In the late Qing Dynasty, Shaanxi inkstone was listed as one of the four famous inkstones in China along with Duan, She and Lintao. It is also advocated that Luyan Xugong inkstone carved from natural inkstone should be used to replace Cheng Ni inkstone, which is collectively called the four famous inkstones.