Textile Box "Four Treasures of the Scholar" – Introduction to Chinese Calligraphy and Solid Ink
This introductory textile box contains the essential tools for discovering Chinese calligraphy, sumi-e, ink wash painting, and solid ink preparation.
It includes four brushes, an inkstone, a Sumi ink stick, a dish, a brush rest, and an uncarved practice seal, all stored in an embroidered textile box.
Paper is not included: please use Xuan paper or a medium compatible with ink techniques to test ink bleed, black density, and brush pressure.
To understand the role of the brush, ink, paper, and inkstone, you can consult the
Ikane guide on the Four Treasures of the Scholar.
INFORMATION
The Four Treasures of the Scholar traditionally refer to the brush, ink, paper, and inkstone. This box gathers the preparation and drawing tools; paper is chosen separately according to the desired diffusion speed.
The ink is not ready to use. The stick must be rubbed with a little water on the flat part of the inkstone. You first obtain a concentrated base, then you can lighten it drop by drop.
The four brushes allow comparison of various line widths and ink capacities. The stone seal is provided uncarved: it cannot be used to sign a work without prior engraving and seal paste.
BOX CONTENTS
Brushes: 4 calligraphy brushes of different sizes
Inkstone: round stone for grinding and diluting ink
Ink: 1 solid Sumi ink stick
Porcelain: 1 brush rest and 1 dish
Seal: 1 uncarved stone practice seal
Box: embroidered textile box
PREPARING INK FOR THE FIRST TIME
For a small quantity, allow about 5 minutes of grinding. This time serves as a guide, not an absolute rule: stop when the ink no longer appears watery and a test stroke yields an even black.
Place only a few drops of water on the flat part of the inkstone. Do not fill the entire cavity initially: a concentrated base is easier to correct than an overly diluted preparation.
Hold the stick almost vertically, with its base flat against the stone. Rub slowly in small circles or regular movements, without applying strong pressure.
After 3 minutes, observe the ink. If it remains grey and very liquid, continue for another 1 to 2 minutes. Then test a stroke on a scrap of the same paper.
If the black is too pale, rub for another 30 to 60 seconds. If the ink is too thick or catches on the paper, add one or two drops of water, mix, then test again.
USE & CARE
Moisten the brush before loading it, then remove excess water without twisting the fibers. Start with the medium brush: it is generally simpler for testing basic strokes and pressure changes.
The brush rest prevents loaded fibers from touching the table. The dish can hold clear water or a second ink dilution to work with multiple shades of black.
After use, rinse brushes and the inkstone with clear water. Wipe the damp side of the ink stick and allow each item to dry before storage.
Do not store any still-wet items in the textile box. Retained moisture can mark the fabric, damage brushes, or deform fibers.
PAIR WITH
To start with an easier-to-control medium, this box can be paired with
handmade Xuan paper
in a semi-treated finish, which facilitates initial diffusion tests.
To repeat strokes, work on a continuous length, or practice without paper limitations, you can also check out the
semi-treated vegetable paper studio roll
or the
Xuan paper roll for calligraphy.
To hang brushes upside down to dry after rinsing, you can pair it with the
hanging calligraphy brush holder.
For a more structured version in a wooden box, you can compare it with the
deluxe Four Treasures calligraphy box.
To find papers, brushes, inkstones, and inks related to this practice, you can consult the
Calligraphy
selection.
🤍 Ikane Studio Tip
First prepare a rich black, then place a small amount into the dish with a few drops of water. This gives you two ink densities without having to restart the entire grinding process.
