In the last episode we talked about how Chinese calligraphy works, its history and how it's
practiced. So if you haven't seen that video - please click right here to watch.
In this episode we're going to talk about the materials that are used in Chinese calligraphy
and the history behind them.
The four essential elements of Chinese Calligraphy are the brush, the ink stick, the ink stone
and the paper. These items are known in Chinese tradition as "the four treasures of knowledge."
Because, well, the idea is that when you learn how to write, you become literate, which - in
turn - then you can learn how to obtain and pass on knowledge.
So the brush tip is usually made of animal hair such as rabbit, wolf or goat, inserted
into a hollow bamboo tube. The tip is shaped to come to a point at the top so that it can
make sharp thin lines when held upright, and wider lines when tilted to its side. Like
all brushes, the brush comes in different sizes depending on the shape and the size
that you want your brushstrokes to be.
So the ink stick is where the ink comes from. It’s made from pine soot that comes from
the inner core of a tree, mixed with a binding agent such as animal glue. To be used, it
needs to be ground with water against the next item, the ink stone, until it reaches
the right consistency. In fact, grinding the ink was an art in itself that apprentices
of calligraphy had to master before they could continue to develop their skill in writing.
So how do you, how do you know it’s at the right consistency?
Hmm, you can feel the, the fluid, if it’s too thick or too thin.
I can try. I think it’s still too thin.
Too thin.
The quality of the stone is also important and it needs to have a fine grain in order
to produce the best ink quality. Over time, ink stones have actually also became a treasured
and collectible works of art in themselves since they would usually be made of very high
quality stones, and also be carved or decorated in very beautiful and elaborate ways. Nowadays
you can also buy pre-ground and pre-mixed ink that comes in bottles. But the quality
of it is significantly lower than the ink that comes from rubbing ink sticks. Bottled
ink would usually be used as student grade ink for people who are just learning how to
do calligraphy.
And finally we have the paper, a historic Chinese invention by the way that was invented
in the Han dynasty in around 100 BCE and became widely used in China in around 100 CE . Prior
to the invention of paper, people carved into stone and ivory, as well as wrote on bamboo
and silk. But the Han dynasty was a very bureaucratic dynasty and they needed a lighter, cheaper
and more efficient way to keep records. I mean my filing cabinet would be full in no
time if I wrote on stone tablets. And therefore paper to the rescue! Its early types would
have tree bark mixed with things like hemp, pressed flat and left out in the sun to dry.
Calligraphers use a special type of paper called Xuanzhi, also known as rice paper - made
of a particular specie of Elm mixed with rice. The paper also comes in different types that
have different absorption rates, creating different types of brushstroke qualities.
In addition to these "four treasures" Some Calligraphers also sometimes use paper weights
which are also often carved and decorated pieces of stones and wooden blocks and it
can also sometime be collectible works of art just like the ink stones.
As I mentioned in the previous episode - artists would stamp their works with their personalized
seals. The practice of sealing in China dates back to as early as 544 BCE. The seal is used
by people and organizations to effectively act as a verifiable signature. It is also
common for the owners of the art and calligraphy to seal works in addition to the artist. Some
works that have passed through multiple owners over the years may have dozens of red seals
all over them. A seals could made of stone, ivory, wood or jade and is dipped in a red
paste made of cinnabar with water mixed with honey or oil. And, similar to other calligraphy
materials - seals could also be beautiful works of art in themselves. The character
design of the stamped part can come in many unique forms and styles, and the stamp body
is also often elaborately carved.
So do you have any favourite calligraphy styles or calligraphy artists? whether they're Eastern
or Western, whichever the language. Let me know in the comments.
A seals could made of stone, ivory, wood or jade and is dipped in a red paste made of
… I don’t know.