Chapter 4 Section 3 The Rise of Lake Pen

Since the Southern Song Dynasty was partial to Hangzhou, the pen-making industry also moved from the Xuanzhou area to the Jiangsu-Zhejiang area centered on Huzhou, Zhejiang, forming a new brush production area.Cheng Yi, Tu Xi, and Xu Di mentioned above are all famous pen makers in Zhejiang and Jiangsu.From the Song Dynasty to the Yuan Dynasty, the Xuanzhou area was severely impacted by the war, and the pen industry in the past was gradually declining. Yuan Haowen, a poet of the Jin Dynasty, sighed in the poem "Liu Yuanbi": "Zhuge in Xuancheng is unknown." Under such circumstances, most of the brushworkers in Xuanzhou were scattered, and some of them moved to Huzhou, Zhejiang, and brought their exquisite skills to this area.The Huzhou area is rich in long bamboo. Jiang Dengyun's "Su Hu Bian Lu" in the Qing Dynasty stated: "The Hu pen tube comes from Wenshan in Yuhang County." The adjacent Jiaxing area is rich in goats. Today, Haining City, Zhejiang Province) is the first", so the pen-making industry gradually emerged in the area of ​​Shanlian Town, Huzhou. Because Shanlian Town belongs to Huzhou, the pens produced are called "Hubi".Shanlian is also known as Shanlian. There are four bridges in the city, namely Fushan, Baoshan, Qingshan, and Yishan.Since the Yuan Dynasty, the famous "Xuanbi" in the past gradually declined and was replaced by "Hubi".

With the development of the pen-making industry, many highly skilled pen craftsmen also appeared in Huzhou area.According to "Xiwu Zhicheng", in the early Yuan Dynasty, "Wu Xing Maoying's skill was the best in the world. In the Yuan Dynasty, Feng Yingke was good at it. He was as famous as Ziang and Shunju, and he is still respected in this world. The famous people are Wengshi, Lu Shi and Zhang are all rabbit hairs." Ziang mentioned in the article refers to Zhao Mengfu (fu Fu), a famous calligrapher and painter in the Yuan Dynasty, and Shun Ju refers to Qian Xuan, a famous painter in the Yuan Dynasty.Feng Yingke's pen-making reputation is "same name" as that of Zhao and Qian, which shows his excellent pen-making skills.According to "Gui'an County Chronicles", they were called "Wuxing Sanjue" at that time (Huzhou was changed to Wuxing in Tang Dynasty).Zhang Jinzhong, who has a deep relationship with Zhao Mengfu, is also a master brush maker.Zhang Zeng once said that "one stroke of work can be counted among the bans of holding a pen", and he was recognized and appreciated by the palace for his pen-making skills.There is also Shen Xiurong, Yuan Dynasty writer Qiu Qiuyuan once wrote a poem "Shen Xiurong, a pen giver": "It is known that Shen Zi's art is rare, and it is easy to start with if you wash it and choose a circle. Regardless of rabbit gills or wool, ink can last for a long time. "Praise him for his superb skills, he is well versed in the techniques of water basin, hair selection, and rounding. No matter what kind of material, rabbit or sheep's brush, he can make durable and high-quality brushes.

In addition, there were many famous pen makers in Huzhou and Jiangsu and Zhejiang in the Yuan Dynasty, such as Fan Junshi, Xu Wenyao, Wen Sheng, and Lu Wenbao.It should also be noted that in the Yuan Dynasty, there was a scholar from a minority nationality who was also an expert in making brushes. His name was Zhou Bowen (formerly known as Shalaban).He has participated in the compilation of "History of Liao", "History of Jin" and "History of Song".He guided the brushwork, and the brushes made of yellow sheep tail hairs produced in Northwest China were very popular.

In the Yuan Dynasty, apart from Hubi, Xiangbi was also very famous.Xiangbi was originally a Chenzhou brush in the Tang Dynasty, and it was a famous pen that emerged in Changsha City, Hunan Province in the Yuan Dynasty.Regarding the Chenzhou pen, Liu Zongyuan, a poet of the Tang Dynasty, once praised it in a poem. 〕The cone makes a wonderful shape, storing clouds and mist to Nanming [ming name],... Guiyang Qingyue is shining all over, and the end should be passed on to Gu Tuling." The poem has made a good description of Chenbi from its appearance to its performance. depict. In terms of production process, "Xiang Bi" is not like "Hu Bi" which is layered and evenly tied, but mixed and not layered, and does not emphasize the sharpness of the brush.Known for water cents and cents.

The rise of Hubi in the Yuan Dynasty was by no means accidental, and it was inseparable from the cultural development at that time.The Yuan Dynasty had great achievements in many aspects of culture, and many calligraphers appeared, such as Zhao Mengfu, Xian Yushu, Deng Wenyuan, and the Mongolian calligrapher Kangli [nao Nao].Among them, Zhao Mengfu's calligraphy is the most highly praised by later generations, who think it can be compared with Wang Xizhi of the Jin Dynasty and Yan Zhenqing of the Tang Dynasty.The painting achievements in the Yuan Dynasty were even more brilliant. In addition to Zhao Mengfu, the famous painters also included Huang Gongwang, Wang Meng, Wu Zhen, and Ni Zan, who were known as the "Four Masters of the Yuan Dynasty".The development of calligraphy and painting art naturally promotes the development of the pen industry, and promotes the rise and development of "hu pen".

After entering the Ming Dynasty, with the gradual stabilization of society, culture and art were further developed.The Ming Dynasty was an important stage in the history of Chinese calligraphy and painting art. Some regionally-centered masters and schools emerged, especially in the Jiangnan area, where a large number of calligraphers and painters gathered together.The prosperity of calligraphy and painting in the Ming Dynasty promoted the development of the four treasures of the study, and a new look appeared in the pen industry. The reputation of "Hubi" is growing day by day.Tu Long, a litterateur of the Ming Dynasty, said in "Kaopan [pan Pan] Yushi": "Most of the brushwork in the country is not as good as that of the lake." Level, "Hubi" has won the crown of all the pens in the world.

Many famous pen makers also appeared in the producing area of ​​"Hubi" in Ming Dynasty.Lu Wenbao and his son Lu Jiweng, who were already famous in the Yuan Dynasty, gained even more prestige and fame in the Ming Dynasty.Zeng Qi [qi Qi] described the pen-making achievements of Lu's father and son in the poem "To Lu Jiweng". He also said: "It was made into the Penglai Palace, and the purple flowers were in charge of the rainbow. The nine-fold Qing Yan made the Chen Han, and the five colors were all Jackie Chan." It shows that the brushes made by Lu Wenbao are not only excellent in quality, but also extremely gorgeous in appearance. Paying tribute has become a product for the royal family.The poem also said: "Since the beginning of the country, it has become a masterpiece, and the price of light has been infinite since then. The beauty of the treasure has been famous for a long time, and there should be a family law to pass on to the old man. When I got one, I want to frustrate the words. Jujube Xinlanrui moves brilliantly, and chestnut-tailed chickens compete for excellence." Zeng Shi first regretted that Lu Wenbao had passed away in the early Ming Dynasty, making his brush-making skills a "fine art", and then praised his son Lu Jiweng for inheriting his father's inheritance, and also made excellent pens. The excellent writing brushes, especially in the varieties of "Zaoxin", "Lanrui", "Liwei", "Chicken", have reached a new level.Lu Wenbao and his son were not only good at making brushes, but also gathered a wide range of literati and celebrities, absorbed and adopted the insights of calligraphers and painters, and improved brush-making techniques.It is recorded in Lu Shusheng's "Qingshu Bitan" in the Ming Dynasty that when Lu Wenbao was in contact with Yang Weizhen, a famous calligrapher at that time, he won the "benefit of learning from each other".Yang also wrote for Lu Zhu.

Shi Wenyong, "Wu Xing's brushworker", is also known as "Hubi". Its slang was changed to Shi Wenyong, and later Shi Wenyong became famous for his high skills. Due to the development of painting and calligraphy, the division of labor between painting and writing tools has become more and more detailed, and the distinction between brushes and calligraphy brushes has also begun to appear. In the "Yan Xian Qing Appreciation Notes" in "Zunsheng Eight Notes", it is said: "Yu took the old bamboo shoot pen piles made by Hangzhou people as the best. Later, because Huzhou Zhafu pens were made in the shape of thin waist gourds, Hangzhou followed suit, which is the most hateful. At the beginning, the writing seems to be thin, so it is suitable for small books. After using the back waist, it becomes a water brush, which is discarded. The Hang brush is not as good as the Hu brush, and the lake brush is Zhang Tianxi. It was named first by Zhang Wengui of Hangzhou, and Zhang did not pass it on indiscriminately...Yangzhou controls the Shuxin paintbrush, which is excellent for ink and white drawing. Water brushes are also wonderful.” From this narrative, we know that brushes were used for writing and painting at that time The requirements are different. It seems that the paintbrushes produced in Hangzhou and Yangzhou were the best at that time, and there are differences.However, Hubi is the best for writing, which cannot be imitated by Hangbi.The division of labor and specialization of pen types, in turn, promoted the development of calligraphy and painting art.It can also be seen from these that the pen-making skills of the Ming Dynasty have reached a very high level.

Among the famous writers in the Ming Dynasty, in addition to Lu and Shi and others introduced above, there are also Zhang Tianxi and Wang Guyong introduced in "Bi Shi" in Huzhou area.In other parts of the south of the Yangtze River, in addition to "Zhang Wengui of Hangzhou", there are Xu Ying, Liu Jiewen, Fu Zifeng, and Zheng Boqing. Famous pen makers in the Qing Dynasty, according to the "History of Pens": "Zhu Zhulong [cha Tea] Collection" wrote in the preface to the pen worker Qian Sou: "In the collection of poems and essays of celebrities in my dynasty, there are many people who marked the names of the pen workers. I'm wimpy and lazy, so I can't check and record it all over the place, and it would be great luck if someone with good deeds would help me make up for it." From this we can see that there were "many of them" in the Qing Dynasty.However, the work of "checking out" has not been done.In addition to the Qiansou mentioned by Zhu Yizun, Liang Tongshu added more than a dozen others.Among them are Liu Bitong and Sun Zhifa.Liang Tongshu said: "These two masters of the modern capital are best at Sanzhuo ink brushes." Liang also said: "Xia Qishan, Shen Maocai, Pan Yuenan, Wang Erting, Lu Xisan, Yao Tianyi, Shen Xiuzhang, Wang Tianzhang, Lu Shiming, the above nine People often use their pens, Qishan and Yuenan are especially good." Liang Tongshu also wrote poems to mourn the deceased Xia Qishan and Pan Yuenan: "I have heard that pens are articles, and they must be good if they are strong, sharp, round and uniform. It is a pity that Xia Pan It’s been a long time since I’ve been dead, and I’m so sad.” Expressing my “sadness”, regret and deep memory of the passing of the two master pen makers.

In addition, Bao Shichen, a calligrapher theorist of the Qing Dynasty, mentioned Wang Yongqing, the brushworker, in "Yi Zhou Shuang Ji", saying that he was excellent in making brushes.The book also describes the situation of Huzhou pen workers in Qing Dynasty going to other places to develop pen making industry.For example, Wang Xingyuan, a pen worker in Shanlian Town, Huzhou, went to Yangzhou, Jiangsu to develop the pen industry.From the beginning of the Qing Dynasty to modern times, most of the brush shops across the country, such as Dai Yuexuan, He Lianqing, and Li Yutian in Beijing, as well as the aforementioned Liu Bitong and Sun Zhifa; Zhou Huchen, Li Dinghe, and Yang Zhenhua in Shanghai; Bei Songquan in Suzhou, etc., were mostly A native of Shanlian Town, Huzhou.Huzhou pen workers flowed out to Beijing, Shanghai, Jiangsu and Zhejiang, and spread the superb skills of making "hu pens", thus promoting the development of pen-making industries in various places and playing a huge role in the prosperity of cultural undertakings.In the Qing Dynasty, some pen shops integrating production, supply and sales also appeared.It is said that in the early years of Qianlong, Huzhou, a pen worker surnamed Wang, sold pens in Beijing. At that time, he bought his pen and won the number one prize. Wang's pen became a rare commodity. For "Yipinbi", the queen set up "Wang Yipinbizhuang" in Huzhou Jianchang.

After the rise of "Hubi", the Xuanzhou pen industry gradually withered, but there are still some craftsmen who maintain the traditional craft of "Xuanbi" and continue to produce.According to records, until the Qing Dynasty, there were still "Liu, Cheng, and Cui three surnames gathered together with more than a thousand families each, and forced half to attack their businesses" ("Su Hu Bian Lu").In addition, some of the diasporic Xuancheng brushworkers also attached themselves to the ink industry, so that many ink shops could also make brushes, and ink shops that both produced and operated brushes appeared.Some of them are also concurrently engaged in the paper industry, and there are merchants who comprehensively and comprehensively operate the stationery industry.This is also a new development of the four treasures of the study. In the Ming and Qing Dynasties, with the development of economy and culture, brushes have become an indispensable stationery in daily activities.Thereby also promoted the development of the pen industry.The soft and round Yanghao brush, the hard and sharp Zihao brush, the hard and soft Jianhao brush, the firm and sharp Langhao brush, etc., have all kinds of characteristics, complement each other, each develops its own strengths, and a complete series of brush varieties appears. , forming a system of pen types with different functions. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, Yanghao brushes prevailed.Although it was earlier to make pens with Yanghao, pure Yanghao pens were rarely used before Ming Dynasty, and harder rabbit, wolf or Jianhao were mostly used for writing and painting.Since the Ming Dynasty, Yanghao has really come out of its "Ying". Qu You, a writer of the Ming Dynasty, praised in the poem "Yanghao Brush": "Why bother to ask if you are hard and soft, and you can be a friend if you are durable." Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty and senior officials Xianhuan Weng Fanggang, Liu Yong, Liang Tongshu and others like to use Yanghao pens which are softer than Zihao and Langhao.Zou Ying and Qi Zi work together, and Yanghao pens are more popular.For example, calligraphers such as Deng Shiru and Yi Bingshou used Yanghao pens to write seal script and official script, which is tactful, smooth and stretched, which is unique and interesting.Huzhou is rich in goat hair, which is famous for its slender front, uniform thickness, and softness. It is especially suitable for making Changfeng Yanghao brushes.The popularity of Yanghao brushes has further promoted the development of Huzhou's pen industry. Today, Yanghao brushes are still the main category of Huzhou brushes, and they are also the most commonly used brushes in the painting and calligraphy circles. Many famous pen makers in the Ming and Qing Dynasties not only showed their skills on the pen, but also showed their abilities. The shape of the pen is also colorful, such as the tube pen, the bucket pen, and the hawthorn [zhazha] pen (the hawthorn pen has a short tube. Thick, large characters should be written), etc.In terms of pipe materials, each shows its splendor and is extravagant.There are gold tubes, silver tubes, engraved gold tubes, jade tubes, porcelain tubes, ivory tubes, rhinoceros horn tubes, glass tubes, mottled bamboo tubes, cong bamboo tubes, red sandalwood tubes, rosewood tubes, lacquer wood tubes, etc. There are so many beautiful things.In addition, in the decoration of the pen tube, it is even more skillful to use painting and carving, and exquisite inlaying.Make branches and pens, tubes and hairs all become finely carved handicrafts.Hiding it and using it is really like Huai Jin holding a jade.In the Ming and Qing dynasties, the pen-making industry represented by "Hubi" has indeed reached the peak in the history of brush production in my country.