read before you buy ✦
Guides
Start Chinese calligraphy with confidence
Short guides to the Four Treasures, choosing a word to give, your first strokes, and care.
What Are the Four Treasures of the Study?
Brush, ink, paper and inkstone — what each of the Four Treasures does and why they belong together.
Choosing a Word to Engrave
What 平安, 好运, 家 and 圣诞快乐 mean, and which one fits the person and the occasion.
Your First Strokes: Calligraphy for Beginners
How to hold the brush, make ink and practice your first Chinese characters.
How to Care for a Calligraphy Brush
Simple steps to keep a bamboo calligraphy brush and inkstone in good condition for years.
Meaningful Chinese Culture Gifts Under $100
Gift ideas with a story — engraved brushes and a complete Four Treasures set — by budget and occasion.