Inkstone making technique (Chengni inkstone making technique)

Name of China's national intangible cultural heritage: inkstone making technique (Chengni inkstone making technique)

Applicant: Xinjiang county, Shanxi Province

Item No.: 916

Project No.: VIII - 133

Time of publication: 2008 (second batch)

Category: traditional art

Region: Shanxi Province

Type: new item

Applicant: Xinjiang county, Shanxi Province

Protection unit: Jiangzhou Chengni inkstone Research Center, Xinjiang

Introduction to inkstone making technology (Chengni inkstone making technology)

Applicant: Xinjiang county, Shanxi Province

Jiangzhou Chengni inkstone, produced in Xinjiang county, Shanxi Province, is the only pottery inkstone among the famous inkstones in China. Its production can be traced back to the Western Han Dynasty, and flourished in the Tang and Song Dynasties, and further developed in the Ming Dynasty. Chengni inkstone has been regarded as a tribute in all dynasties.

Jiangzhou Chengni inkstone making technology takes advantage of the unique natural conditions of Fenhe Bay. It takes more than ten years to make the finished product by selecting the deposited sludge, filtering, blank making, carving, calcining and other dozens of processes. Because of this, the output of this kind of inkstone is rare and its value is quite high. The characteristics of Chengni inkstone are firm and smooth in quality, rich in breath and fluid, touching like a child's skin, rich in texture, simple and elegant in color. When applied, it is crystal clear and delicate, does not damage the brush, does not dry up in water storage, is cold and ice free, and its inking speed is extremely fast, and its inking color is full of light. Chengni inkstone can be divided into many varieties according to its color, among which "eel yellow", "mung bean sand", "rose purple" and "cinnabar red" are rare and excellent products, which are deeply loved by emperors and scholars of all dynasties.

Due to historical reasons, Jiangzhou Chengni inkstone production skills to the end of the Ming and early Qing Dynasty has been basically lost. In order to save this precious national cultural heritage, Lin Yongmao, Lin Tao and his son, descendants of Lin Xiangru from Jiangzhou, collected data from many sources, studied with great concentration, experimented repeatedly and refined painstakingly. Finally, the production of Chengni inkstone was restored, making this national treasure shine again. At present, the newly restored production technology of Chengni inkstone is still in the period of development, which is in urgent need of government support and help.