The Qi writing brush, an intangible cultural heritage item of East China's Shandong province, has a history spanning over 2,000 years. The brushes originated and are exclusively produced in Guangrao county, Dongying, Shandong.
According to Guo Mingchang, a master of the Qi writing brush-making technique, crafting this type of brush involves over 150 meticulous steps, including soaking, pulling, combing, binding, connecting, and trimming, all of which are executed manually and require exceptional skill.
The production process is divided into two main stages: "water basin" and "pen-shaft making." "Water basin" does not refer to a specific process but rather the entire series of steps from material preparation to the completion of the brush head. Most of these steps must be completed in lime-infused water to remove excess grease from the fur, hence the name. The quality of the brush head is pivotal, making this stage the most demanding.
First, the central part of the brush head - also known as the "brush body" - is created, followed by a thin layer of fur to encase it. The brush head is then meticulously crafted through steps such as pinching, rounding, and flattening.
The final step involves combing the fur, which requires artisans to carefully regulate their hand pressure. Excessive pressure prevents the fur from emerging, while insufficient pressure results in the loss of both high-quality and inferior fur. Mastery of this skill, developed through experience, is crucial for producing a high-quality Qi writing brush.
Watch the video below to learn more!
[Video provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
