Zaozhuang, April 4 -- Visiting the "Hometown of Lubi in China": 18 processes of lean inheritance

Written by Mingrui Li

"It takes about one hour to repair the pen, and after removing the miscellaneous hair, it must be sharpened and rounded, so that the writing can be both flexible and powerful." On April 1, when the reporter walked into the Lubi production workshop in Yinping Town, Yicheng District, Zaozhuang City, technician Zheng Junlan was making Lubi while explaining to the trainees.

It is understood that Yinping Town is the hometown of Lubi in China, and the Lubi production technique has a long history, dating back to the Eastern Han Dynasty, from the Sui and Tang Dynasties to the Song and Yuan Dynasties, passed down through the generations.

To make a brush, it is necessary to go through 108 processes such as material selection, tearing, pier hair, degreasing, pileing, depiling, millimetering, pressing, and inching. Photo by Sun Hui

According to the genealogy records, since the first generation of inheritors Liu Huaibao (1755-1816) founded the first brush workshop in Yixian County, he began to drive the local people to learn technology and participate in brush production. Nowadays, walking through Yinping Town, you can see Lubi elements everywhere.

"The pen comes out of the Zaozhuang, there is softness and rigidity, and ink falls on paper, Ruyi is auspicious." Liu Chang, the inheritor of the Lubi making technique in Yinping Town, told reporters that the Lubi making technique in Yinping Town skillfully combines pen making and pen use, integrating theory, practice and artistry, forming distinctive regional characteristics and aesthetic characteristics.

Lu Pen making process. Photo by Sun Hui

"The brush is small, but it's very exquisite." Liu Chang told reporters that to make a brush, it is necessary to go through 108 processes such as material selection, tearing, pier hair, degreasing and pileing, pileing, milliscopic, pressing, and alignment.

"At present, the influence of Lubi is becoming more and more extensive, and we first continue to improve the level of craftsmanship to ensure that the quality of Lubi is ahead." Speaking of the inheritance of production skills, as a new generation of inheritors, Liu Chang is no longer satisfied with only processing and selling Lu pens. "I want to let more people know about Lubi and understand the culture contained in brushes through new media platforms, exhibitions, research and other means."

Yinping Zhenlu pen making technique skillfully combines pen making and pen use, integrating theory, practice and artistry. Photo by Sun Hui

According to Liu Chang, in 2017, the Lubi Museum was opened. In 2020, the cultural industry park, including Lubi production experience workshop, e-commerce center, scientific research center, art museum and other places, was completed.

Liu Chang told reporters that the cultural industry park has an annual output of 1200 million brushes of various types, trains 2500,60000 calligraphy and painting creators, receives more than 9000,<> tourists every year, and helps Lubi's annual output value reach more than <> million yuan.

"It can be said that a Lu pen has achieved Yinping Town, and Yinping Town has also achieved Lu Bi, a 'symbol of civilization', and I hope that the Lu Pen making skills in Yinping Town will develop better and better, and be known and loved by more and more people." Liu Chang said. (End)