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Tradition: North China inkstick makers follow ancient methods

Xinjiang inkstick making is listed as a provincial intangible cultural heritage in North China's Shanxi province, where Jiwenzhai, a brush and ink business, has a history spanning more than 100 years. Wang Zhuangsheng and his son, Wang Gang, inheritors of the Xinjiang inkstick cultural tradition, continue to follow the ancient methods. The inksticks produced by Jiwenzhai are called "Longmen inksticks", which are renowned for their high quality and are able to last hundreds of years. Using more than 10 kinds of rare traditional Chinese medicinal herbs, the production process typically takes six to 12 months to complete.