BEIJING, Aug. 7 (Xinhuanet) -- An ancient scholar pours clear water into an ink stone, grinds an ink stick in it, mixes and tests. After minutes of regular, contemplative grinding, he dips his brush into the fresh ink and touches the paper. A poem emerges, perhaps a painting, a work of calligraphy.

    This is a typical scene from the life of the literati. The ritual of grinding and making ink is crucial to the artistic outcome and can have a meditative quality. Not only the brushstrokes but also the quality of the ink - and hence, the ink stone - are important factors in the art of calligraphy and painting.

    The hard and fine ink stone traditionally was considered such an important scholar's tool and so important that gorgeous ink stones were given as tribute to emperors. Early stones were large and simple, later stones were works of art in themselves, made of crystal, metal, precious minerals and jade.

    If ink particles are too large and irregular in size, the writing or picture will be unattractive, the poor material detracting from the strokes, images and inspiration, no matter how excellent.

    Good ink stones produce fine even-sized particles.

    Chinese calligraphy is a detailed and well-balanced art that requires perfect performance at every step. That's why Chinese call brushes, ink stone, ink stick and rice paper the "Four Treasures of the Study" (Wen Fang Si Bao).

    Of them, only the durable ink stone was a prized lifetime possession. The rice paper, brushes and ink stick all are perishable, but a good ink stone endures and gets better with time. And the older the rock used, the better the ink stone; a good ink stone improves the performance of merely adequate ink stick.

    The kind of rock and fabrication are extremely important. The best ink stones are made from certain dense slates and volcanic tuff (a rock composed of volcanic ash), though other stones and ceramic are used. Ancient ink stone quarries were famous.

    The ink stone is literally a stone mortar, the ink stick is the pestle for grinding and holding ink in a shallow well. It has a fine grinding surface of invisible tiny teeth and ridges that rub the ink stick into particles. On a good ink stone, a small amount of water appears to sink immediately beneath the surface, but it will not appear dry.

    Learned Chinese sought better ink stones for better writing and art. It is said that the finer the stone, the finer the ink stone.

    An earlier meaning of yan is to grind. The literatis' ink stone was originally a primitive grinding tool, the earliest dating back to the Yangshao period in Chinese Neolithic Age (5000-3500 BC).

    The four legendary kinds of ink stones are named after their rock or stone: Duan, a rock of volcanic ash; Xi, a variety of slate; Tao River stones; and Chengni ceramic stones. Duan comes from Zhaoqing in today's Guangdong Province. It is named after the Duanxi River at the foot of a mountain.

    Xi stone comes from Xizhou Prefecture in today's Anhui Province. Tao River stone comes from Gansu Province. Ceramic stone originally came from Luoyang in Henan Province.

    They come in colors ranging from purple and purple-red to green, some are prized for their grain and markings, even streaks of gold. Some are simple and sturdy, others highly elaborate, decorated with carved dragons and other animals.

    In the Han Dynasty (202 BC-220 AD), ink stones were mostly flat and a separate grinding stone was used. There were no ink sticks, only ink balls. The balls were crushed on the ink stone with the separate grinding stone and turned into ink with additional water. It was basic.

    Between 220 AD and 588 AD, a new type of ink stone was introduced, the ceramic stone. Ink stones became more stylish. Some were round with three "feet," five "feet" and seven "feet;" covers were used. The non-grinding surfaces were decorated with carvings.

    In the Sui (581-618 AD) and Tang dynasties (618-907 AD), the Chinese discovered the Duan and Xi ink stones. The two are called the "Glorious Twin Pinnacles of Ink Stones."

    Duan stones have fine firm texture and can keep fresh ink moist for a long time. They say you can breathe on Duan ink stone and make fresh ink from the mist.

    Xi ink stones were even smoother and said to have feel like a baby's cheek. It is said that the ink remaining on a Xi ink stone can be cleaned by a single splash of water, even after long use.

    Tao River stones and Chengni ceramic stones celebrated in ancient times.

    In the Tang Dynasty, stones were not only useful but decorative. Some bore geometric patterns, some were carved with animals, some appeared to be turtles. Others were carved to appear like the Chinese character feng for phoenix.

    In the Song Dynasty (960-1279), the ink stone became a celebrated ornament, a work of art symbolizing the contemplative life. Precious ink stones of beautiful proportion, precious materials and exquisite craftsmanship were widely collected by scholars. Calligraphers, poets and other learned men wrote books about collecting fine ink stones.

    As calligraphy and traditional writing with brush and ink have been replaced by pen, pencil and computer, fine ink stones today have become collectors' items, reminder of the "Four Treasures of the Study."

    (Source: Shanghai Daily)