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Home>Culture>Information> Four Treasures of the Study Added: 2008-09-17
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Writer: China 365 From: China 365
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Zhejiang, Anhui and Sichuan are preparing relevant materials for the declaration of the four treasures of study in China as the world intangible cultural heritage.
Writing brush, ink stick, ink slab and paper, the four treasures of the study, have a long tradition going back thousands of years in China. What’s more, there are many bands for them in different areas in China even in the world.
More than a year ago, the four treasures were listed as national intangible heritage. Now, we are moving forward into the world. No matter whether the declaration will be passed or not, all the efforts we have made for protecting these traditional cultural heritages will be helpful for building a system of intangible heritage protection and succession.
Fading away
As the carriers of Chinese traditional culture, the four treasures of study means not only a kind of handicraft art but also a cultural life way took forward from one generation to another. They formed the special Chinese writing style and generated the essentials of Chinese traditional culture.
However, they are gradually being lost. The four treasures are less practiced in art today than the old times. With the appearance and popularization of the computer, ink stick and ink slab are gradually abandoned and even pens are less frequently used. Office clerks use pens only when their signatures are required, and the young are indifferent toward fine writing art.
Before we even noticed that they are heritages of the forefathers, the four treasures have begun fading away quietly. Why? The fundamental reason is the great changes in the cultural ecological environment.
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