Inkstone, a traditional learning tool in China, began in Han Dynasty, one of Four Treasures of the Study. Inkstone is a famous traditional handicraft of Han nationality and an essential tool for China's calligraphy. The inkstone is not only the stationery of the study, but also a rare collection of literati in past dynasties because of its solid nature and immortality.
Ink stone and pen, ink and paper are the traditional Four Treasures of the Study in China. The inkstone is used to grind ink and hold the grinded ink and pen. Because of grinding ink, there is a flat place; There is a depression because there is ink in it. Although inkstone ranks first in the ranking of "pen, ink, paper and inkstone", in a certain respect, it is ahead, headed by the so-called "Four Treasures of the Study" inkstone, which can be passed down from generation to generation because of its solid texture.
China's four famous inkstones
The four famous inkstones in China are Taohe inkstone in Zhou Tao, Gansu, Duanyan inkstone in Zhaoqing, Guangdong, Shexian inkstone in Anhui and Chengni inkstone in Jiangzhou, Shaanxi.
Taohe inkstone is produced in Taohe, Yantao Township, zhuoni, Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Gansu Province, China. It is a kind of water rock, also called diabase. Taohe inkstone, with its crystal clear, exquisite, beautiful and moving, silky stone patterns, rolling waves and surging clouds, has been treasured by the royal families of past dynasties and favored by literati.
Duanyan was produced in Duanzhou (now Zhaoqing, Guangdong) in the early Tang Dynasty. It has been very valuable since ancient times, and it has become more and more valuable because of the exhaustion and sealing of inkstone materials in several famous pits. Inkstone is one of the Four Treasures of the Study in the traditional culture of Han nationality. Among the four famous inkstones produced in China, Guangdong Duanyan is the most famous. Guangdong inkstone is famous for its solid, smooth, delicate and delicate stone. When it is ground with Guangdong ink stone, it will last for a long time. If Duanyan is good, whether it is hot summer or cold winter, touching the inkstone heart with your hands will be green.
She Yan is produced in Zhou She, between Huangshan Mountain and Anhui Tianmu Mountain and Baiji Mountain, including Shexian County, Xiuning County, Qimen County, Gan County and Wuyuan County. The origin of stone is the downstream of Weilong Mountain at the junction of Wuyuan and Shexian County, so Sheyan is also called Weilong inkstone, and the mountain is the origin of most surviving stone. In addition, Shexian, Xiuning, Qimen and other counties also produce inkstones.
Cheng Ni inkstone is one of the handicrafts of Han nationality in China, and it is also one of the traditional calligraphy tools. The Tang and Song Dynasties began in the Han Dynasty and have a history of more than 1000 years. Cheng Ni inkstone is produced in Lingbao and Shaanxi counties in western Henan. Cheng Ni inkstone is rich in ink color, moist and delicate, and has won the favor of literati in past dynasties. Su Shi and Mi Fei both loved each other and wrote.