Huangshi Inkstone

Huangshi Inkstone

Huangshi inkstone is an intangible cultural heritage of Henan Province.

　　Huangshi inkstone is known for its tough and smooth texture, fine grain, and excellent water retention. It boasts characteristics such as jade-like stone quality, a resonant sound like a chime, vibrant colors, and ink-release as smooth as fat. In the Ming Dynasty, Ma Yu referred to it as a "top-grade stone" in his work "Fangcheng Stone." There are six main types: bluestone, bluish-purple stone, inkstone, phoenix-eye stone, red-cloud stone, and pure purple stone. The natural patterns in the stone are incredibly varied, including ripple patterns, jade-band patterns, and eyebrow patterns, making it highly favored by scholars and artists both in China and abroad. The Huangshi inkstones produced in Yanshanpu, Fangcheng County, not only inherit the traditional style of ancient inkstones but also incorporate modern carving techniques to innovate. They have developed into nine major categories with over 20 types of inkstones. Designs include "Two Dragons Playing with a Pearl," "A Vermilion Phoenix Facing the Rising Sun," and over a hundred other varieties, all exuding an elegant and classic charm with vividly lifelike imagery. These inkstones blend ancient and modern carving techniques, combining relief and openwork craftsmanship. Their shapes are graceful and crafted with exceptional artistry.

　　Huangshi inkstone is one of China’s five most famous inkstones, produced in Fangcheng County, Henan Province. Its development dates back to the Han Dynasty; by the Tang and Song Dynasties, it had gained widespread fame and became a treasured item among calligraphers and painters throughout history.

　　The stone used for Huangshi inkstones is quarried from the scenic Huangshi Mountain in Fangcheng County. The mountain is named after the historical site where Zhang Liang of the Han Dynasty worshipped his mentor, Huangshi Gong (the Yellow Stone Sage), hence the inkstone takes its name from the mountain. It is a naturally superior inkstone material, characterized by a jade-like texture, a resonant sound, vibrant colors, and smooth ink-release. The Song Dynasty calligrapher and painter Mi Fu, in his "History of Inkstones," ranked 26 types of inkstone materials nationwide, placing Fangcheng stone from Tangzhou at the top. He praised it as having a stone texture that “looks like gleaming jade and a mirror under the sun, and releases ink as smoothly as refined clay without being slippery.” The Northern Song poet and calligrapher Huang Tingjian was so enamored with the Fangcheng stone inkstone that he considered it a priceless treasure. He personally visited Huangshi Mountain and composed the famous verse: “This mountain produces such inherently beautiful material; when put to good use, every bit should be sought after,” to praise it. In the Ming Dynasty, Ma Yu wrote in "Fangcheng Stone" that it was a “top-grade stone.”

　　Huangshi inkstone stone can be divided into six categories: bluestone, purple stone, bluish-green stone, inkstone, jade-yellow stone, and phoenix-eye stone. Each type has its unique charm and stunning variety. Among them, bluestone and purple stone are the most common, but those with pure stone quality and no impurities are considered the best—especially if they feature gold or silver veins, jade bands, or ice patterns without flaws, which are deemed top-tier. Bluish-purple stone combines the features of both bluestone and purple stone, making it quite rare. If it has bright colors, distinct layers, and clever design, it can be considered a premium-grade piece. Inkstone-colored inkstone, due to its deep hue and rarity, is very hard to come by, while jade-yellow stone, which resembles yellow jade with a glowing aura, and phoenix-eye stone, which vividly resembles a phoenix’s eye, are equally scarce. When paired with superior craftsmanship and ingenious design, they become even more rare and precious.

　　In 1990, Qi Gong, the honorary chairman of the Chinese Calligraphers Association, spoke highly of Huangshi inkstone and personally inscribed the words “China Huangshi Inkstone.” In the same year, Bo Jie, then 94 years old, also gladly wrote in praise, calling Huangshi inkstone the “Huangshi Jade Inkstone.”

　　In October 1993, China’s Huangshi inkstone won the Gold Award at the International Chinese Painting and Calligraphy Expo.

　　In October 1994, China’s Huangshi inkstone was awarded the Gold Award for National Famous Inkstones and Stone Materials.

　　In 2006, with approval from the State Post Bureau, Huangshi inkstone stamps were included in the “Four Treasures of the Study” series of stamps and issued nationwide. After being recognized as a national famous inkstone, Huangshi inkstone was listed as a state gift for international dignitaries and received widespread acclaim from all sectors of society. It has since become a cherished craft item exchanged in cultural exchanges across various communities.