The Four Precious things (of the Scholar)
The Four Precious Things of the Chinese scholar, also known as the Four Treasures of the Study, refer to the essential tools required for traditional Chinese calligraphy and painting. These are:
- Brush (筆, bǐ): The writing brush used for calligraphy and painting, made from various materials including animal hair.
- Ink (墨, mò): Solid ink sticks, which are ground against an ink stone and mixed with water to produce liquid ink.
- Paper (紙, zhǐ): Special paper designed to absorb the ink in a way that complements the brush strokes.
- Inkstone (硯, yàn): The surface on which the ink stick is ground with water to produce ink. It is often considered a cherished art object itself.
These tools are celebrated for their role in the artistic traditions of the Chinese scholar.
See also: The Eight Precious Things (Babao)
