Ink brushes(毛笔) play an important part in Chinese culture.
Xu Wenyi,62, is from Wenzhou. He runs an ink brush shop with his two brothers. Xu's father learned how to make the ink brush at 13, and ran the shop when he was ready . Xu also began to learn the skill at the same age. Xu and his brothers are the third generation (代) to run the family shop.
The first step is to choose the hair. Every winter, when animal hair is the best, Xu Wenyi goes to other cities to collect the hair. Next, Xu and his workers make the hair tidy. After that, they cut the hair in different sizes. When the hair is finally ready, they think about other parts of anink brush.
These days, the brothers try many new things. They make lanugo writing brushes(胎毛笔) and many new parents enjoy these brushes. The brothers also show how to make brushes in their shop. Many culture lovers show great interest in the skill itself.
"We're happy to make good brushes for people,"said Xu."We want to pass on the skills if people are still writing with in k brushes. And we believe we can make better brushes by improving the skill."
A. Xu's grandfather set up the shop in 1900. B. There are about 40 steps to make an ink brush. C. Xu has rich experience in making ink brushes. D. They are widely used in Chinese paintings and writings. E. They sometimes bring their brushes to different cultural festivals. F. It may take days, even a week, to get a small strand(缕) of brush hair. |
