Xu Gong Inkstone

Xu Gong Inkstone

　　Xu Gong Inkstone

　　The stone used to make Xu Gong Inkstones is sourced from Inkstone Valley near Xu Gong Village, about 10 kilometers south of Qingtuo Town. The stones are mostly irregularly flat in shape, varying in form, with fine, crumbly stone-milk-like patterns along their edges. They have moderate hardness, a quiet color palette, and come in various shades such as blue, yellow, green, tea, and orange-red. Once crafted into inkstones, they exhibit a natural, rustic charm, fresh and elegant in appearance, with delicate texture and fine grain. When tapped, they resonate like chimes; when touched, they feel like jade. The ink flows smoothly as if ground on stone, and the ink appears as glossy as oil, holding extremely high ornamental and collectible value. This stone can also be carved into paperweights, display stones, brush pots, and other artworks. The carving techniques complement the natural forms, creating delightful and whimsical pieces.

　　Xu Gong Stone has been renowned since the Tang and Song dynasties. Legend has it that during the Tang Dynasty, Xu Hui was traveling to the capital to take the imperial examinations. Passing through this area, he happened upon a charmingly shaped and colored stone slab and tried grinding it into an inkstone. During the exams in the capital, when the cold weather caused everyone else’s ink to freeze, affecting their performance, only Xu Hui’s ink flowed smoothly like oil, enabling him to write effortlessly and pass the exams with flying colors. He eventually rose to become Minister of Rites. After retiring, he missed the remarkable inkstone and settled in the area, earning the name Xu Gong. The village was then renamed Xu Gong Village, and the stone became known as Xu Gong Stone. Later, due to the remote location of the quarry, the stone faded from fame over time. After the founding of the People’s Republic of China, through the exploration and experimentation of skilled carvers, the Xu Gong Inkstone regained its former glory.

　　Since 1978, Xu Gong Inkstones have been exhibited multiple times in Beijing, as well as in regions and countries such as Hong Kong and Japan, where they have been highly favored. On October 16, 1987, at the “Xu Gong Inkstone Symposium” held in Beijing, the inkstones received widespread acclaim. Chu Tunan, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, personally inscribed the words “Xu Gong Inkstone.” Shu Tong, Honorary Chairman of the China Calligraphers Association and a renowned calligrapher, wrote “How Beautiful is Xu Gong.” Since the 1990s, the inkstones have been displayed eight times in major exhibitions of famous inkstones in Beijing, winning top awards on numerous occasions. Wu Jieping, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, praised the Xu Gong Inkstone as a “treasure of Chinese culture.” Other state leaders, including Wang Guangying and Lei Jieqiong, also wrote inscriptions in its praise. Wang Zhaohua, Vice Minister of the Organization Department of the CPC Central Committee and Director of the National Committee on Aging, presented a Xu Gong Inkstone as a national gift to former Japanese Prime Minister Takeo Fukuda during his visit to Japan. In 1993, during a state visit to Japan, the President presented a Xu Gong Inkstone as a national gift to the Emperor of Japan, thereby promoting friendship and exchanges between the people of China and Japan.

　　The Xu Gong Inkstone is an important variety among Shandong inkstones. It has been famous since the Tang and Song dynasties. Renowned figures from the Tang Dynasty such as Yan Zhenqing and Liu Gongquan, and from the Song Dynasty such as Ouyang Xiu, Su Shi, and Mi Fu, all introduced and reviewed it in their writings, giving it high praise. The stone for Xu Gong Inkstones comes from Xu Gong Village in Qingluo Town, Yinan County. It is a unique mineral resource of the town, belonging to the basalt layer, with abundant reserves. The stone is hard and has a very high density. When struck, it produces a crisp sound like a chime. The ink flows smoothly as if ground on stone, and the ink appears as glossy as oil. Its color is fresh and lustrous, and it does not damage the brush tip, making it a top-grade material for inkstone production.