The Four Treasures of the Study (Wenjian Si Bao)

The Four Treasures of the Study—brush, ink, paper, and inkstone—are essential tools traditionally used in Chinese calligraphy and scholarly pursuits. The brush, made from animal hair, allows for expressive strokes; the ink, usually solid ink that is ground with water on the inkstone, offers rich black tones; the paper provides a smooth surface for writing; and the inkstone serves as a surface to grind and prepare ink. These tools are valued not only for their practicality but also for their cultural significance, embodying the art, discipline, and scholarly spirit in Chinese tradition.