Shanghai Cao Sugong Inksticks

Shanghai Cao Sugong Inksticks

　　　　Hui Ink is renowned alongside Huzhou brushes, Xuan paper, and Duan inkstones as one of the “Four Treasures of the Study.” By the Qing Dynasty, Hui Ink had reached its historical peak in both quality and production, giving rise to four master ink makers: Cao Sugong, Wang Jinsheng, Wang Jie’an, and Hu Kaiwen. Cao Sugong ranked first among the “Four Great Masters,” leading to the saying, “Of all inks under heaven, those of Shezhou are the finest; of Shezhou’s inks, those of the Cao family are supreme.” The inksticks produced by Cao Sugong’s ink shop were celebrated worldwide for their exceptional quality and exquisite decoration, suitable for both writing and artistic appreciation. In the third year of the Shunzhi reign during the Qing Dynasty, Cao Sugong’s ink shop relocated from Shezhou to Shanghai. From its founding until 1956, the Cao family had passed through thirteen generations over more than 300 years, creating renowned inksticks for calligraphy and painting such as “Purple Jade Light,” “Guangchen,” “Tianrui,” and “Thousand Autumns Light,” as well as luxury sets like “Leopard Pouch Collection” and “Ancient Coins,” which were bestsellers in Japan and Southeast Asia.

　　The Cao family’s ink formula is strictly controlled, using carefully selected materials and refined craftsmanship. The main ingredient in high-quality ink for calligraphy and painting is tung oil, known as the “king of oils” for its strong adhesive properties. Additional ingredients include sesame oil, lard, gum tragacanth, natural musk, plum blossom extract, borneol, pearls, gold leaf, and other precious traditional Chinese medicinal aromatics. Using traditional techniques, the ink undergoes twelve meticulous processes—including refining, stirring the paste, cooling, and gold detailing—taking a full year to produce. Cao Sugong inksticks are distinguished by several qualities: first, their color resembles lacquer, with a deep black that subtly glows with a purplish sheen. According to the “Shexian County Annals” and the “Huizhou Prefecture Annals,” when Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty inspected Jiangning, Cao Sugong presented him with a treasured inkstick. After trying it, the emperor was highly impressed and bestowed upon the Cao family the honorary title “Purple.”