Shicheng Inkstone

Shicheng Inkstone

　　Jiangxi’s Shicheng inkstone, named after Huangshi Mountain in Longgang Township, Shicheng County, Jiangxi Province, is also known as “Huangshi.” It was praised as “flower pistil stone” in Qing Dynasty scholar Zeng Xingren’s *Inkstone Chronicles*. Originating in the Northern Song Dynasty and lost during the Qing Dynasty, the Shicheng inkstone was renowned in the Northern Song period for its rich natural colors and unique patterns. Although the Shicheng inkstone was first created in the Northern Song Dynasty, it had been lost for centuries, leaving very few surviving pieces. In the winter of 1991, Mr. Lai Delian, Vice Chairman of the Shicheng County Federation of Literary and Art Circles and owner of Longyan Studio, rediscovered the craft of making Shicheng inkstones. Some finished works were then produced by Mr. Jiang Huaji, owner of Chizhantang, including one called the Jiangxi Shicheng Inkstone and another named the Shicheng Natural Stone Painting Inkstone. In 1992, Mr. Jiang Huaji of Shicheng’s Chizhantang sent samples of Shicheng stone to Mr. Wang Xigui, an expert on the Four Treasures of the Study in Beijing, who concluded that Shicheng stone could rival Duan inkstone and She inkstone. Thanks to its distinctive patterns and rich colors, the inkstones made from Shicheng stone offer both excellent functionality and strong aesthetic appeal. By integrating traditional techniques with creative elements such as poetry, calligraphy, painting, and seal carving in the crafting of freeform inkstones, the Shicheng inkstone has attained significant cultural and artistic value. As a result, it has gained fame in the art world, winning numerous awards in national and international Chinese art competitions. Mr. Lai Delian’s works, the *Dragon and Phoenix Matching Eyes* inkstone and the *Legacy of Shi Tao* inkstone, both won silver awards at the China Four Treasures of the Study Master Inkstones Competition. The *Legacy of Shi Tao* inkstone also claimed the gold award at the First Jiangxi Flower Expo. Mr. Jiang Huaji’s *Success at First Try* inkstone received a Special Gold Award in Chinese Calligraphy and Painting Collecting, while his *Unified Mountains and Rivers* inkstone won the Liu Kaiqu Cup Gold Award from the China Root Carving Art Society and a Special Contribution Award from the province. Mr. Lai Delian’s *Five Dragons and Golden Pearl* and *Picturesque Mountains and Rivers* inkstones are considered important collectibles. The Shicheng inkstone is cherished by collectors and artists alike, and some have even been given as refined gifts to family, friends, or foreign dignitaries. As a fine example of Chinese inkstones, the Shicheng inkstone is beloved not only in China but also regarded as a treasure in Japan, Korea, Malaysia, and regions such as Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan. It is not merely a grinding tool but also a carrier of culture and a witness to history. The Shicheng inkstone has now been included in the *Encyclopedia of China*.