Ancient ink craft struggles for longer life

The knowledge needed to produce the traditional Huizhou inkstick is on the brink of extinction because of a lack of raw materials and trained craftsmen.

Listed as a national intangible heritage in 2006, the Huizhou inkstick, also known as huimo, is included as one of the Chinese traditional Four Treasures of the Study, the other three being brush, paper and ink stone.

Acclaimed for its quality, the Huizhou inkstick is mainly produced in the counties of Jixi and Xiuning, and in Huangshan city in southern Anhui province, which was once referred to as Huizhou.