Brief introduction of Four Treasures of the Study

The name "Four Treasures of the Study" originated in the Southern and Northern Dynasties. Historically, what Four Treasures of the Study refers to has changed frequently. "Four Treasures of the Study" refers to pen, ink, paper and inkstone, which is common sense today. "Study" is "study" and "Four Treasures of the Study" is a category to describe these four kinds of stationery.

Among the pen products, the brush is a unique category in China. Traditional brush is an essential learning tool for the ancients, and it has a unique charm in expressing the special charm of China's paintings and calligraphy.

pen

The origin of writing pen is relatively early. According to Oracle Bone Inscriptions's records, there were primitive pens in Shang Dynasty. Judging from the patterns on painted pottery in the Neolithic Age, the appearance of pens can be traced back to more than 5,000 years ago. By the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, all countries had made and used writing pens. After Qin Shihuang unified the whole country, "pen" became a definite name, which has been used ever since. It is said that the brush we are using now was invented by Meng Tian, the general of Qin during the Warring States Period.

Classification of pens:

From the raw materials of pens, there used to be rabbit hair and wool. .

In terms of performance, there are bristles, soft bristles and double brushes. . . .

Ink is an indispensable article in ancient Chinese characters.

Before the invention of artificial ink making, natural ink or semi-natural ink was generally used as writing material. Prehistoric painted pottery patterns, Oracle Bone Inscriptions paintings and calligraphy, original ink left by Shang and Zhou Dynasties. After this long process, artificial ink finally appeared in the Han Dynasty. This ink is made of pine smoke, which is first rubbed by hand and then molded.

There are many processes from cigarette preparation to final product completion. Ink carving is not only an important process, but also an artistic creation process. The shapes of ink are roughly square, rectangular, round and irregular.

paper

One of four great inventions of ancient china, which has been circulated for culture in history. Even in the prevalence of machine-made paper today, some traditional handmade papers still reflect its irreplaceable role and glow with unique brilliance.

For a long time before the invention of paper, what did people use as notes?

According to literature and physical data, the earliest people used knots to take notes, and tied knots when something happened. Later, he carved on the tortoise shell bone, the so-called "Oracle Bone Inscriptions". After the bronze ware is made, it is engraved on the bronze ware, that is, the "bronze inscription". After that, write the words on bamboo and wood, which is the so-called "bamboo slips"

In the early years of the Western Han Dynasty, politics was stable, ideology and culture were very active, and the demand for communication tools was very strong. As a new writing material, paper came into being. The earliest invention of papermaking, ancient paper in the Western Han Dynasty, was discovered in 1933.

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 ink after adding water to make ink, and the stone punishment for making ink is inkstone. The most common is inkstone.

The stress of inkstone is: thin and greasy, moist and pure, crystal clear and smooth, good texture and color, easy to ink and not absorb water.

The inkstone needs to be cleaned frequently and cannot be polluted. Every inkstone must be clean and fresh. When washing, you can use lotus flowers or old tea leaves to brush, and it is better to add a little temperature water to prevent bursting. Therefore, calligraphers should not only use inkstones, but also raise them.