INK, INESTONE, RUCH AND FREER
Together these are all "The four Treasures of a
Jcholar'e Studio".
Ink and Inkstone
To the connoisseur, and to any calligrapher worthy of a fine stick of ink is not just imply any piece of ink. It has to be as nard as jadr, with the texture of fine lacquer.
the rame,
Ink.tick is rade from soot collected from charcoal of
ancient pine wood. After mixing the soot with gum extracted from buffalo skin or the scales of carp, a semi-wet mixture is formed.
From this, the various shapes of inkstick are moulded and left
to dry.
ink is obtained b. rubbing the inkstick in water in
an inkstone (inkslab).
The inkstone is divided into two parts. Une part has a cavity containing water. The other is a flat surface on which the inkstick is rubbed. A good stone should have the ability to keep evaporation to a minimum and a texture like that of jade.
Brush
This was once nicknamed the "sharp-headed slave"
because of its shape.
The handle of the brush is usually made of bamboo. Its tip consists of long, thin and springy hairs of ram, hog or rabbit, selected to suit different calligraphic purposes.
To a calligrapher, the brush is an extremely sensitive instrument, which should be so flexible and resilient that it
responds to every change in nis mood.
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