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Which tools are traditionally used to create Chinese calligraphy?
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Chinese art
A discussion of Chinese art, from the documentary China: West Meets East at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
The tools traditionally used to create Chinese calligraphy are few and are often referred to as the "Four Treasures of the Study." These essential implements include:
- Brush: Typically a fine brush mounted on a bamboo handle, used to execute the strokes.12
- Ink stick: A solid form of ink that is prepared for use by grinding it with water.13
- Ink stone: A specialized stone surface used for mixing the dry ink stick with water to create the liquid ink.13
- Paper or Silk: The traditional surfaces upon which the calligraphy is written.14
The calligrapher combines these tools with technical skill and imagination to create balanced, rhythmic compositions without the use of retouching or shading.1