RResearches Chinese Techniques Of The Refined Clay Inkstone Production

The Refined clay inkstone, completely man-made, highly changeable in colour and style, with practicability and artistry, is the most representative of non-lithic inkstone in ancient China. In the long historical times, because of its special craft and many features such as "keep ink but not exhaust, accumulate ink but not rot", "breath brings about moisture, touch brings about demitint", "to grind but not hurt brush", it plays a very important role in Chinese inkstone. The Refined clay inkstone is made of baked clay but not natural stone, its craft has long history and great research value in history of technology of inkstone in Chinese dynasties.As one of the four treasures of the study, the inkstone is generated because unique needs of Chinese traditional calligraphy and painting. Taking the origin of Chinese inkstone as starting point, this thesis analyses the evolution of Chinese ancient inkstone, and the appearance and development process of the Refind clay as well. Furthermore, this thesis is mainly focused on the technical process and technical features of the Refind clay, its key techniques and physical and chemical properties etc.The predecessor of inkstone was grinder which could be traced back to the Neolithic period, so the original Chinese character is also not "ç š" but "ç ”". This thesis analyses the ancient literature and the unearthed inkstone and ink materials, clarifies the obscure evolution process of shape for Chinese inkstone since it was formed, discusses the change from "ç ”" to "ç š" in correspondence with the initial evolution process of its shape in the Eastern dynasty, even there is a direct connection between the evolution and change of shape on ink.The evolution of shape means the real birth of Chinese inkstone, also it directly leads to the probe to kinds of materials for making inkstone, non-lithic inkstone is generated from this. The Refined clay inkstone is the product when non-lithic inkstone developing to a certain stage which represents the highest achievement of Chinese ancient non-lithic inkstone. By analyzing and arranging the ancient document, combined with existing material evidence, the thesis draws a conclusion that the Refined clay inkstone started in Tang dynasty, won fame in Song dynasty, then further discriminates the expressive characteristics of making the Refined clay inkstone in every period, clarifies the technical development of the Refined clay inkstone and the spread and distribution of it, furthermore, we compared the differences and relation of making techniques between the Refined clay inkstone and non-lithic inkstone including pottery inkstone, tile inkstone and porcelain inkstone.On the basis of full understanding of related document on making techniques of the Refined clay inkstone, the author did field investigation on making techniques of "the Refined clay inkstone of Jiangzhou" in Xinjiang country, Shanxi province, making techniques of "the Refined clay inkstone of Heluo" in Xin'an country, Henan province, making techniques of "the Refined clay inkstone of Guozhou", recorded the modern making techniques of the Refined clay inkstone by taking photo and video recording, meanwhile she operated some key techniques in person. This thesis records and arranges the modern making techniques of the Refined clay inkstone in different places, discusses the techniques differences each other. Also for deeper research the differences and similarities of making techniques in the past and present, the author compares the key process of modern making techniques and the related records in ancient document of the Refined clay inkstone, tries to interpret it from scientific point.In view of the special background that making techniques of the Refined clay inkstone was interrupted in history, as well as people have not analyze it from modern scientific point, the author did some simulated experiments, discusses the making materials, physical and chemical properties respectively, on the basis of repeating simulated experiment of key steps of making techniques, summarizes the optimal burning temperature, the effect and appropriate proportion of red lead in ancient document, multiple feasible methods of "adding ink and wax" etc.Finally, because the making techniques of the Refined clay inkstone is important intangible cultural heritage in China, it has been ranked as the category of traditional techniques of "the second batch of national intangible cultural heritage list" in June,2008, however, there remain some problems and plight on protection and inheritance of modern making techniques of the Refined clay inkstone. Based on comprehensive research, this thesis puts forward some thoughts and proposals on protective value, protective methods and other aspects of the Refined clay inkstone. These thoughts and proposals will have a certain positive significance and referenced value of making techniques of the Refined clay inkstone and other similar traditional protective techniques.