Hengshui "Houdian" Writing Brushes

Hengshui "Houdian" Writing Brushes

　　　　Hengshui writing brushes, also known as "Hou brushes," were historically called elephant brushes. Originating in the Yongle era of the Ming Dynasty, they have a history of over 500 years. During the Qing Dynasty, they were designated as imperial writing instruments, earning Hengshui the titles of "Holy Land of Writing Brushes" and "Capital of Brushes in the North." With over 270 varieties, Hengshui brushes feature long, sturdy shafts that balance hardness and flexibility. They hold ample ink without dripping and allow smooth, uninterrupted strokes. Primarily produced in Houdian Village, Taocheng District — known as the "Hometown of Hengshui Writing Brushes" — these brushes use materials such as weasel tail hair, fox tail hair, goat wool from southern mountains, goat beard, white horse hair, and ox ear hair for the tips. The shafts are crafted from materials like bamboo, purple bamboo, mottled bamboo, Xiangfei bamboo, and phoenix-eye bamboo, adorned with mouthpieces made from ivory, bone, horn, bamboo, and hardwood in various styles. The production process is meticulous, yielding innovative designs and elegant shapes. High-end brush shafts, inlaid and carved with patterns such as two dragons playing with a pearl, dragon and phoenix bringing prosperity, double phoenixes spreading their wings, phoenixes dancing with peonies, as well as ancient-costumed figures and landscapes of flowers and trees, especially when made with materials like rosewood, boxwood, and ivory, are elevated to exquisite works of art that are both practical and refined. They are highly cherished and praised by calligraphy enthusiasts both in China and abroad.

The brush-making process involves over 300 manual steps, including water basin work, miscellaneous tasks, drying, carving, and coloring. The entire production follows a strict inspection and acceptance system to ensure stable and reliable product quality. Many types of Hengshui brushes — such as "Fengyun" (Winds and Clouds), "Shuiyue" (Moon over Water), and "Xiaolanghao" (Small Weasel Hair) — have been certified as "trusted, inspection-exempt products" by the Tianjin Port. Hengshui brushes are exported to more than ten countries and regions, including Japan and Singapore, with an annual export volume of over three million brushes.

(Hengshui)