Our Privacy Statement & Cookie Policy

By continuing to browse our site you agree to our use of cookies, revised Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. You can change your cookie settings through your browser.

I agree

Chinese ink and inkstone making explained

Chen Hongyu

A decorative ink stick at Ancient Hu Kaiwen Ink Factory, Shexian County, Huangshan City, east China's Anhui Province. /CGTN
A decorative ink stick at Ancient Hu Kaiwen Ink Factory, Shexian County, Huangshan City, east China's Anhui Province. /CGTN

A decorative ink stick at Ancient Hu Kaiwen Ink Factory, Shexian County, Huangshan City, east China's Anhui Province. /CGTN

Molding the ink stick. /CGTN
Molding the ink stick. /CGTN

Molding the ink stick. /CGTN

Molding the ink stick. /CGTN
Molding the ink stick. /CGTN

Molding the ink stick. /CGTN

Weighing the ink stick. /CGTN
Weighing the ink stick. /CGTN

Weighing the ink stick. /CGTN

Gilding the ink stick. /CGTN
Gilding the ink stick. /CGTN

Gilding the ink stick. /CGTN

Decorative ink sticks. /CGTN
Decorative ink sticks. /CGTN

Decorative ink sticks. /CGTN

Hui ink and She inkstones are representatives of China's Four Treasures of Study (brush, ink, paper, inkstone), embodying centuries of exquisite craftsmanship and cultural heritage. In Shexian County, Huangshan City, east China's Anhui Province, the heart of China's ink-making tradition, artisans continue to preserve the centuries-old craft of Hui ink.

00:40

In this video, we visit the Ancient Hu Kaiwen Ink Factory in Shexian County to witness the process of making Hui ink and She inkstones. Making the ink is complicated, with processes including soot burning and selection, glue adding, pestling, molding, squeezing, drying, polishing, gold drawing and more.

(All photos and video by CGTN's Chen Hongyu)

Search Trends