JIANGMEN, April 30 (Xinhua)-- Baisha Maolong brush was originally created by Chen Xianzhang, or Chen Baisha, a poet and calligrapher, in Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). It uses thatch, or dried hay, from Guifeng Mountain as its ingredients, and undergoes a series of processes such as soaking, hammering, binding and trimming. Baisha Maolong Brush is a favorable choice for people to create Chinese calligraphy and traditional Chinese paintings, as it presents a rustic and unrestrained style while maintaining the simplicity and grace features. The craft of Baisha Maolong brush was listed as national intangible cultural heritage in 2008.
Zhang Ruiheng, an inheritor of the craft, has been engaged in it for over 40 years since 1978, when the local people tried to resume the almost-lost craftwork. Besides inheriting the traditional making craft of Baisha Maolong brush, Zhang also explores creative application of the brush. He founded that compared to common Chinese brushes, Baisha Maolong brush can make more changes in its writing. He thinks the best promotion of the art is to let people see various changes it can bring through different making processes. Zhang also decides to write a book to introduce the use of Maolong brush as few people know how to really use it. He set up an exhibition area in Gangzhou gallery to show the making and value of the brush.
Zhang Ruiheng, an artisan and inheritor of Baisha Maolong brush, creates artwork with a Baisha Maolong brush at a workshop in Xinhui District of Jiangmen, south China's Guangdong Province, March 24, 2021. (Xinhua/Deng Hua)
Photo taken on March 24, 2021 shows finished products and different types of Baisha Maolong brush in Xinhui District of Jiangmen, south China's Guangdong Province. (Xinhua/Deng Hua)
A tourist experiences Chinese calligraphy with a Baisha Maolong brush at Shijian park in Xinhui District of Jiangmen, south China's Guangdong Province, March 24, 2021. (Xinhua/Deng Hua)
Zhang Ruiheng, an artisan and inheritor of Baisha Maolong brush, dips a brush into Chinese ink at a workshop in Xinhui District of Jiangmen, south China's Guangdong Province, March 24, 2021. (Xinhua/Deng Hua)
Photo taken on March 24, 2021 shows finished products, different tools and ingredients of Baisha Maolong brush in Xinhui District of Jiangmen, south China's Guangdong Province. (Xinhua/Deng Hua)
Zhang Ruiheng, an artisan and inheritor of Baisha Maolong brush, trims a Baisha Maolong brush at a workshop in Xinhui District of Jiangmen, south China's Guangdong Province, March 24, 2021. (Xinhua/Deng Hua)
Zhang Ruiheng hammers thatch, or dried hay, the ingredient of Baisha Maolong brush, at a workshop in Xinhui District of Jiangmen, south China's Guangdong Province, March 24, 2021. (Xinhua/Deng Hua)
Photo taken on March 24, 2021 shows different types of Baisha Maolong brush in Xinhui District of Jiangmen, south China's Guangdong Province. (Xinhua/Deng Hua)
Zhang Ruiheng, an artisan and inheritor of Baisha Maolong brush, binds a Baisha Maolong brush at a workshop in Xinhui District of Jiangmen, south China's Guangdong Province, March 24, 2021. (Xinhua/Deng Hua)
Zhang Ruiheng, an artisan and inheritor of Baisha Maolong brush, makes a Baisha Maolong brush at a workshop in Xinhui District of Jiangmen, south China's Guangdong Province, March 24, 2021. (Xinhua/Deng Hua)
Zhang Ruiheng, an artisan and inheritor of Baisha Maolong brush, uses a Baisha Maolong brush to sign his name on a calligraphy work at a workshop in Xinhui District of Jiangmen, south China's Guangdong Province, March 24, 2021. (Xinhua/Deng Hua)
Zhang Ruiheng, an artisan and inheritor of Baisha Maolong brush, shows a box of packed Baisha Maolong brushes at a workshop in Xinhui District of Jiangmen, south China's Guangdong Province, March 24, 2021. (Xinhua/Deng Hua)
Zhang Ruiheng, an artisan and inheritor of Baisha Maolong brush, uses a Baisha Maolong brush to write calligraphy work at a workshop in Xinhui District of Jiangmen, south China's Guangdong Province, March 24, 2021. (Xinhua/Deng Hua)
Zhang Ruiheng, an artisan and inheritor of Baisha Maolong brush, creates a traditional Chinese painting with a Baisha Maolong brush at a workshop in Xinhui District of Jiangmen, south China's Guangdong Province, March 24, 2021. (Xinhua/Deng Hua)
Zhang Ruiheng, an artisan and inheritor of Baisha Maolong brush, creates a traditional Chinese painting with a Baisha Maolong brush at a workshop in Xinhui District of Jiangmen, south China's Guangdong Province, March 24, 2021. (Xinhua/Deng Hua)
Zhang Ruiheng, an artisan and inheritor of Baisha Maolong brush, creates a traditional Chinese painting with a Baisha Maolong brush at a workshop in Xinhui District of Jiangmen, south China's Guangdong Province, March 24, 2021. (Xinhua/Deng Hua)
Zhang Ruiheng, an artisan and inheritor of Baisha Maolong brush, shows a huge Baisha Maolong brush at a workshop in Xinhui District of Jiangmen, south China's Guangdong Province, March 24, 2021. (Xinhua/Deng Hua)
Zhang Ruiheng, an artisan and inheritor of Baisha Maolong brush, hungs a newly-made Baisha Maolong brush onto a wooden rack at a workshop in Xinhui District of Jiangmen, south China's Guangdong Province, March 24, 2021. (Xinhua/Deng Hua)
Producers: Wang Jianhua, Ye Qian
Planners: Zhu Weixi, Wang Haijing, Wang Qingqin
Journalist: Deng Hua
Editors: Li Yahui, Zhu Weixi, Rong Yan, Ding Hongfa, Wang Haijing
Video Editor: Tian Weiwei
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