Gold Star Inkstone

Gold Star Inkstone

The Gold Star Inkstone is a national intangible cultural heritage.

　　The Gold Star Inkstone is made from gold star stone. This stone is found 10 meters underwater in a small stream at the foot of Jishan Mountain in Liuzhuang Township, Feixian County. Stone for making inkstones has been quarried here throughout history, and the deposit is relatively abundant. The gold star stone is a high-quality slightly sandy argillaceous limestone containing sulfur and iron crystals. It is black in color with numerous golden specks scattered across its surface. Inkstones made from this stone have jet-black bodies like a moonless night sky, with shimmering golden flecks resembling stars, and a fine texture as smooth as jade that resonates when tapped. Legend has it that Wang Xizhi, the great calligrapher of the Eastern Jin Dynasty, adored this type of inkstone, hence it is also known as the “Xizhi Inkstone.” The Gold Star Inkstone was exported to Japan, where it became highly popular among Japanese calligraphers. Today, the Feixian County Arts and Crafts Company operates a workshop for producing Gold Star Inkstones.