A quality inkstone should have the correct porousness and texture and will increase the performance of the ink. It should not be too hard or too soft, allowing the ink to grind quickly while remaining able to produce a homogenous fine-grained ink. Size and shape can be tailored to a calligrapher or painter's personal style and requirements.

If travelers are interested to learn more about inkstones, a visit to Yishui Inkstone Company is worth considering. They offer tours of their facilities (visitors who don't speak Chinese will need their own interpreter) teaching about the different styles of inkstones and the different types of stone qualities. Award-winning artisans can be observed patiently and delicately chiseling stones into the folds of a leaf or the talons of a phoenix, each design based on the shape, mineral content and coloration of the stone. Ex-president Jiang Zemin and former premier Li Peng have been known to use Yishui inkstones for calligraphy.

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)