Research On The Traditional Huzhou Writing Brush Cultural Ecology

The article, originated from my doctoral supervisor’s research area of “ancient creation”, researched on “Huzhou Brush” which emerged from Wuxing(Shanlian Town of Huzhou City at present times) during Yuan Dynasty. “Huzhou Brush”, regarded as “ Wuxing Brush produced with the best skills” in “XiWu Zhi Cheng” written by Xiezhao(Ming Dynasty)and praised as “Huzhou Brush considered famous the world over”, thus won reputaion of high quality. The term of “Traditional Huzhou Brush” was used to replace “Huzhou Brush” for distinction because a great many of low quality “Huzhou Brush” was produced around the country currently.The research topic was “Research of Cultural Ecology on Traditional Huzhou Brush”. Research achievements of “The Relationship Between Culture and Environment” and “Relationship Among Specific Culture Forms” were foundations for further exploration. The article, integrated “Traditional Huzhou Brush”, explored internal relationship between the brush and its origin of the natural environment and cultural environment from two aspects of synchronic and diachronic. It analyzed the technical culture of making brushes, the connection between commercial culture of selling products and intellectural culture of using brush and then depicted the dynamic relationship between workers, merchants, Chinese painting and calligraphy artists.The research idea was to summarize techniques of making brushes and cultural characteristics from every period with the history of brush development as background in order to set off the uniqueness of Huzhou Brush. It utilized field research method, literature method, comparative research and case study method to bring up related theories from two aspects of “Creation in Ancient China” and “Intangible Cultural Heritage”.Nearly 30 years related research led to the discovery that there exsited serious research weakness on “Traditional Huzhou Brush ”and discussion under the background of “Post Intangible Heritage Era”. So, the main contents of this article were extended and the related research achievements were as following:First, research on the emergence and development of traditional Huzhou Brush. It systematically researched that Huzhou traditional brush originated from literati circule of Jiangsu and Zhejiang. The local literati circle, revealed in the local government record and literati notes about the pen work poetry related records of Yuan and Ming dynasties, showed that elite brush makers in the form of individual or group have an interactive relationship with Jiangsu and Zhejiang literati. Thereafter, because of the transform of the culture center and the local industrial structure adjustment, the differentiation of Huzhou pen groups was facilitated and “Bi Ke” emerged. The business travelling of this group contributed to the nationwide expansion of Huzhou brush. At the same time, accompanied by the formation of some of these Zuo Jia and establishment of brush produced in Huzhou, it eventually leads to a national influence.Second, research on traditional Huzhou brush and its cultural environment. The artilce, unfolded two aspects of physical space of making and selling brush(brush market, brush boat and brush shop) and cultural environment(traditional Huzhou brush organization, festive customs and beliefs), brought up the concept of “Cultural Field” on traditional Huzhou brush. It was believed that brush market and brush boat were once the organic composition of traditional Huzhou brush’s cultural ecology, though they vanised with the development of history; brush store, with the layout of shop front and workshop rear, revealed the function of making, selling and exhibiting, and reflected the operating strategy because the interior decoration showed its literati interest with the comprehensive characteristics. “Wuxian Brush Vocational Union”, as a traditional Huzhou brush organization consisted of Huzhou immigrants in Suzhou during the anti-Japanese war, helped save the left resources for future recovery of Shanlian Huzhou Brush. Last, the belief of Shanlian brush was specifically relfected in “Mengtian Party” and its related folklore was influenced by factors such as seasonal occasion, silkworm and farming.Third, cultural connotation of traditional Huzhou brush. “Manufacturability” on making, “knowledgeability” on carrying and “property of prestige” on operating were brought up. First, it was considered that “Manufacturability” on making was the foundation for the development of traditional Huzhou brush and reflected the inheritance and development of making techniques of brush. Then, it researched “knowledgeability” on carrying, which was depicted through the involvement of literati and display of scholar wares with brush once was articles of tribute. Last, “property of prestige” on operating was developed through attached importance by outside located Huzhou brush shop paid on brand and trademark and variation on products types.The article researched on traditional Huzhou brush which has characteristics of “general creation” and “intangible cultural heritage” through research achievements of “cultural ecology”. It aimed to further understand essence knowledge of creation field in ancient China and to promote the research on “Post Intangible Heritage Era”, which on the other hand had theoretical guidance meaning on the development of cultural creative industry.According to the analysis of the actual situation of the research object, the integrated use of field survey method, literature method, comparative study method and case study method of traditional writing brusheshistory, writing bursh makers and sellers(peeker) and the relationship between the "cultural field" and the cultural connotation of four aspects of development.In the specific research process on the origin, development stage, the Huzhou writng bursh industry group formation and differentiation, "peeker" generation and social identity, writing brush market,boat, store, traditional brushes organization, Shanlian wrting brush industry and status as well as traditional Huzhou writing bursh culture contained in the "process" and "knowledge" and "brand" factors.Finally draws the following conclusions: first, improve the develop history and culture, to fill the blank "peeker" and "traditional Hubi organization" research; second, in the "cultural ecology" of "relations" in the cultural and environmental ideas under the guidance of "traditional brushes" not only expand the research vision, but also provide the key theoretical basis for the formation of the unique technology and "peeker"; third, the establishment of the topic is to make a positive response in the academic circles of intangible cultural heritage ", is to discuss" the theory and research of the intangible cultural heritage "deeply through the case.