Xuan writing brush
Encyclopedia
Xuan writing brush or Xuanbi , is a type of ink brush
made in Anhui Province, China
. Xuan brushes are often mentioned together with the famous Xuan paper
- a kind of writing paper (rice-paper).
) of Anhui Province. In ancient times, Jingxian County was under the jurisdiction of Xuanzhou Prefecture
(宣州府; Xuān-Zhōu Fǔ; currently Xuancheng
), so its name bears the character Xuan (Xuān).
The Xuan brushes gained popularity in Jin Dynasty (256-420) among classic scholars, governmental officials, calligraphist
s and painter
s.
During the Tang Dynasty
(618-907) and later Song Dynasty
(960-1279), Xuanzhou Prefecture became a production and manufacture center for ink brush pens in China, together with Huzhou
in Zhejiang province. During and after Tang Dynasty, Xuan writing brushes had been continuously listed as a local tribute to the Chinese emperors and their royal court
s.
hair. Xuan brushes are among the most expensive brushes and one of the four most famous brush types in China.
Ink brush
Ink brushes are used in Chinese calligraphy. They are also used in Chinese painting and descendant brush painting styles. The ink brush was invented in China, believed to be around 300BCE...
made in Anhui Province, China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
. Xuan brushes are often mentioned together with the famous Xuan paper
Xuan paper
Xuan paper , or Shuen paper or rice paper, is a kind of paper originating in ancient China used for writing and painting...
- a kind of writing paper (rice-paper).
History
The ink brushes are normally made in Jingxian County (currently Jing CountyJing County, Anhui
Jing County is a county in Anhui Province, People's Republic of China, under the jurisdiction of Xuancheng City. It has a population of 360,000 and an area of . The government of Jing County is located in Chengguang Town....
) of Anhui Province. In ancient times, Jingxian County was under the jurisdiction of Xuanzhou Prefecture
Prefecture
A prefecture is an administrative jurisdiction or subdivision in any of various countries and within some international church structures, and in antiquity a Roman district governed by an appointed prefect.-Antiquity:...
(宣州府; Xuān-Zhōu Fǔ; currently Xuancheng
Xuancheng
Xuancheng is a prefecture-level city in southeastern Anhui province of Eastern China. It borders Wuhu to the northwest, Chizhou to the west, Huangshan to the southwest, and the provinces of Zhejiang and Jiangsu to the southeast and northeast respectively....
), so its name bears the character Xuan (Xuān).
The Xuan brushes gained popularity in Jin Dynasty (256-420) among classic scholars, governmental officials, calligraphist
East Asian calligraphy
East Asian calligraphy is a form of calligraphy widely practised and revered in the Sinosphere. This most often includes China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam. The East Asian calligraphic tradition originated and developed from China. There is a general standardization of the various styles of...
s and painter
Painting
Painting is the practice of applying paint, pigment, color or other medium to a surface . The application of the medium is commonly applied to the base with a brush but other objects can be used. In art, the term painting describes both the act and the result of the action. However, painting is...
s.
During the Tang Dynasty
Tang Dynasty
The Tang Dynasty was an imperial dynasty of China preceded by the Sui Dynasty and followed by the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period. It was founded by the Li family, who seized power during the decline and collapse of the Sui Empire...
(618-907) and later Song Dynasty
Song Dynasty
The Song Dynasty was a ruling dynasty in China between 960 and 1279; it succeeded the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period, and was followed by the Yuan Dynasty. It was the first government in world history to issue banknotes or paper money, and the first Chinese government to establish a...
(960-1279), Xuanzhou Prefecture became a production and manufacture center for ink brush pens in China, together with Huzhou
Huzhou
Huzhou is a prefecture-level city in northern Zhejiang province of Eastern China. Lying south of the Lake Tai, it borders Jiaxing to the east, Hangzhou to the south, and the provinces of Anhui and Jiangsu to the west and north respectively.-Administration:...
in Zhejiang province. During and after Tang Dynasty, Xuan writing brushes had been continuously listed as a local tribute to the Chinese emperors and their royal court
Royal court
Royal court, as distinguished from a court of law, may refer to:* The Royal Court , Timbaland's production company*Court , the household and entourage of a monarch or other ruler, the princely court...
s.
The brush
The most famous Xuan ink brushes are elaborately made of brownish rabbitRabbit
Rabbits are small mammals in the family Leporidae of the order Lagomorpha, found in several parts of the world...
hair. Xuan brushes are among the most expensive brushes and one of the four most famous brush types in China.
See also
- Huzhou ink brushHuzhou ink brushThe term Hubi is dedicated to the Huzhou ink brush .-The ink brush:...
: another famous kind of brush. - Daiyuexuan writing brushDaiyuexuan writing brush-History:The brand was first created by brush pen maker Dai Yuexuan in Beijing in Late-Qing Dynasty. Dai Yuexuan was a professional craftsman of making ink brushes, and he was originally from Zhejiang Province. Dai learned the techniques from Huzhou, also a city in Zhejiang...
: another famous kind of brush. - Ink brushInk brushInk brushes are used in Chinese calligraphy. They are also used in Chinese painting and descendant brush painting styles. The ink brush was invented in China, believed to be around 300BCE...
- Xuan paperXuan paperXuan paper , or Shuen paper or rice paper, is a kind of paper originating in ancient China used for writing and painting...
- Four Treasures of the StudyFour Treasures of the StudyFour Treasures of the Study, Four Jewels of the Study or Four Friends of the Study is an expression used to denote the brush, ink, paper and ink stone used in Chinese and other East Asian calligraphic traditions...