They are the four famous inkstones in the traditional culture of China. Some people think that Yishui inkstone made of pure natural purple jade carving technology has replaced Cheng Ni inkstone, and its HongLing inkstone in Qingzhou, Shandong Province is collectively called the four famous inkstones.
Inkstone is a necessary article for China's calligraphy and painting. The inkstone platform is not only the product of Four Treasures of the Study, but also selected as a rare collection by literati in past dynasties because of its firm and eternal characteristics.
The raw materials of inkstone are rich and varied. Besides amethyst, Emerald, Peach Kernel, Duanshi, Flint, Cheng Ni, Hongsi, Ji Yun and Chrysanthemum, there are dozens of inkstones, such as jade inkstone, jade miscellaneous inkstone, tile inkstone, lacquer sand inkstone, iron inkstone and porcelain inkstone.
Inks are produced in many areas of China, such as Hongsi inkstone, Zishi inkstone and Guishi inkstone in Qingzhou, Shandong Province, Yanzi inkstone in Dawenkou, Tian Heng inkstone and Wenyan inkstone in jimo city. There are inkstones in Linyi, Xuexishan, Qufu, Shandong Province, Luzhe inkstone in Surabaya, and JingTiantan (Pangu) inkstone in Jiyuan, Henan Province.
Anhui Suxian Shile inkstone, Jiangxi Xiushui Ochre inkstone, Jilin Songhua River Songhua inkstone, Hechuan Jialing River Xiayan, Gansu Jiayuguan Jiayu inkstone, Qinghai He Lanyan, Zhejiang Jiangshan Xiyan, Hunan Xiangxi Washing inkstone.
However, since the Tang Dynasty, Duanyan, She Yan, Yan Tao, Cheng Ni and Hongsi inkstone have gained special reputations. Cheng Ni inkstone belongs to pottery, and the other three inkstones are all inkstones.
The basic function of inkstone is to grind ink, in which inking and inking amount are one of the main criteria to consider the quality of inkstone materials. To put it simply, inking is based on the speed of inking from the ink block to the water.
Inking refers to the speed and detail level of the combination of carbon molecular structure and water in ink. Good ink, like oil, shines in the inkstone, and life essays turn smoothly, so the rule of painting with inkstone is higher than calligraphy.
Ink laying pays attention to speed and size, but usually it is fast and thick, and good ink laying is slow. Therefore, an inkstone with good ink quality is extremely precious.