In the past decade, many Chinese inkstone collectors have gone to Japan and Europe in order to find the inkstones lost by China in the Qing Dynasty. This craftsmanship spirit is also affecting the next generation of young people in this industry.
【Photo by Yi Jiang/For this feature】
Yang Rongguang is a man who has been engaged in inkstone carving for more than 20 years and has the dual identity of inkstone collector. He is spending all his time and energy on his beloved career. Nowadays, he is doing something to make his career and life more meaningful. Which is through his own efforts to make the inkstones lost to Japan in Qing dynasty return to China.
In 2019, a lost inkstone worth more than one million was finally back flow China through his efforts. Because of this inkstone, his deeds were reported by the treasure program of CCTV.
Yang Rongguang said: “Since I retired from the army at the age of 23, my father wanted me to follow him in this unique inkstone industry in our region. Now I'm 45 years old. I've been in this industry for more than 20 years.
As one of the four ancient civilizations, China has gone through 14 dynasties. Among them, there are many world-famous handicrafts, including the tri colored pottery of the Tang Dynasty and the bronze ware of the Song Dynasty. However, Duan inkstone with a history of 1400 years, which is not well known by most Chinese and people from other countries.
Each 20 inches inkstone, from a completely unprocessed original stone to a finished product with many processes, will take handicraft artists half a year. Yang Rongguang was strictly required by his father to achieve today's achievements.
“When I first entered this industry, the first skill I have to learn is to distinguish inkstones. I used to spend 10 hours a day observing and researching it. Because in the process of mining inkstone. you will see all kinds of different stones.”
“Before grinding and cutting, ordinary people can't know whether they have certain value. I must make a correct judgment from the subtle appearance characteristics of the inkstone, because the weight of the stone is very large. If there is a mistake in the discrimination, it will waste a lot of money and manpower.”
【Photo by Yi Jiang/For this feature】
At the 2013 World Heritage Expo, Yang Rongguang changed his new view and direction of inkstone. Because of the words of Liu Yanliang, who is a temple level figure of Chinese Duan inkstone.
Liu said：“Although I met Yang for the first time at World Heritage Expo and I found that Yang had a deep understanding of inkstone. I remember I told to him
，China began to pay attention to the improvement of soft power. ”
“I have already eighty-four years old, I’m very regret to a pile of lost inkstones in the Qing Dynasty have been scattered in other countries, such as Japan, the United States and other collectors. You are a young and promising young man. You can make more contributions to China's inkstone industrial.
In 2014, Yang made a professional transformation. He has a strong sense of mission to find those lost inkstones in Qing dynasty. He leaved for Japan to find that inkstone.
“Through the clues provided by different inkstone players, in Nagoya, I saw the inkstone regarded as a treasure by China for the first time. The luster and material of this inkstone is something I have never seen before. This inkstone is collected by a 70 years old Japanese collector. When I said I was willing to pay a high price to recycle this inkstone. The old collector refused me because he didn't trust me for the first time.”
“In April 2015, I have visited Mr. Ishii three times. within a year and a half. He was finally willing to let me buy this precious inkstone at the price set by the auction company. The old man said that it was not because my price was high enough that he was moved by my patriotic feelings.”
An exquisite elephant is carved on the inkstone, implying peace and stability. But this is a couple inkstone. This means that in addition to this inkstone, there is a matching inkstone, which is still scattered among people.
“In 2019, I searched and explored continuously for 4 years. In Osaka, another city in Japan. With the help of an expert, I found the matching inkstone. In the late Qing Dynasty, these two inkstones were brought to Japan from Beijing by an antique merchant from Shikoku Island, Japan.”
“After more than 100 years of wandering abroad, I think it is very happy and proud to bring these inkstones back to China.”
Now Yang Rongguang is training his son Yang Zhenqi to enter this industry, he hopes this traditional inkstone handicraft industry needs successors to inherit.
Yang Zhenqi said：“Every holiday, My father will let me to follow the stone workers to polish and cut stones. When I was 15 years old, he let the sculptor to teach me carving and practice the basic skills of carving. Now I can finish the carving of an inkstone independently.
【Photo by Yi Jiang/For this feature】
There are many kinds of Duan inkstone, about 13 kinds. One of them is called Lao inkstone, which is the most precious.
“If there are eyes in the stone, it called stone eyes means more precious. This 6-inch inkstone is worth about 100000 yuan. Of course, the value of cultural relics not be measured by money.” 
【the green eyes/Photo by Yi Jiang/For this feature】
“Chinese calligraphy is a cultural treasure in the world. Through the ink from Duan inkstone, the calligraphy written is the most orthodox Chinese calligraphy.”
“After I graduate from college, I will take over my father's job and let more lost inkstones return to China.”
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Feature video Yijiang-CSDN直播传统工艺的流传
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