Travel Notes
中国文化

中国書道用品

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Buying Guide to Chinese Calligraphy Supplies

To experience or learn Chinese calligraphy, you need the Four Treasures of the Study. This guide helps you find the right tools.

Calligraphy Brushes

Brushes come in three sizes: large, medium, and small regular script. Beginners should start with a medium mixed-hair brush — soft yet resilient. A quality medium brush costs ¥50-150.

Recommended brands: Huzhou brushes (Zhejiang), with over 2,000 years of brush-making history, and Zhou Huchen are the top brands.

Chinese Calligraphy Supplies

Liquid Ink and Ink Sticks

For practice, ready-made liquid ink works fine — Yidege ink (about ¥20/bottle) is most beginners’ choice. Traditional ink sticks ground on an inkstone offer ritual and aroma that liquid ink can’t match.

Xuan (Rice) Paper

Xuan paper originates from Jing County, Anhui. Comes in three types: raw (fast-absorbing, for expressive styles), sized (slow-absorbing, for fine detail), and half-sized (best for calligraphy practice). A ream (100 sheets) costs ¥30-60.

Inkstone

Chinese Calligraphy Supplies

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Beginners should get a Duan inkstone (Zhaoqing, Guangdong) or She inkstone (She County, Anhui), ¥50-300 is enough. Buy one with a built-in groove — pour ink directly in. Inkstone collecting is for enthusiasts.

Search “文房四宝套装” on Taobao — starter sets include 3 brushes, liquid ink, 30 sheets of Xuan paper, and an inkstone for ¥100-200, about half the cost of buying individually.

Tips: Beijing’s Liulichang, Shanghai’s Fuzhou Road, and Xi’an’s Shuyuan Gate are the top three calligraphy supply streets — you can test brushes on-site.

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