Treasures stand the test of time

A brush rinsing pot.

In 2008, the Shanghai New World Co Ltd restructured Zhouhuchen and Caosugong, and set up the Z C Brush & Ink (Shanghai) Co Ltd.

The new company wholeheartedly serves the painting and calligraphy community, targeting upscale customers, and focusing on creating high quality products while preserving the excellent traditional craftsmanship.

Shanghai was not the biological mother of Zhouhuchen and Caosugong but it cultivated them into well-known brands. The continuity of their distinctive characteristics indicates the tolerance of Shanghai culture, according to Du Hong, managing director of the Z C Brush & Ink (Shanghai) Co Ltd.

In recent years, the company has developed more than 10 new types of brushes and ink sticks. It also launched many products by combining traditional culture and history, such as the ink stick sets of the Analects of Confucius, and one that commemorates the 100th anniversary of the Revolution of 1911.

In the coming years, the company will do more to protect ink molds, especially those handed down from ancient times. "We will clean them, repair them, further classify them, and improve their storage conditions," says Du.

To date, the company produces 750,000 brushes, up to 7 tons of ink-sticks, as well as several hundred tons of ink every year, making it the nation's largest brush and ink producer.

Feeling the impact of the e-commerce boom, the traditional Chinese brush and ink maker has now made its products available on 14 major online shopping platforms including Tmall. In September, its products will be sold on JD.com, and will be available on yihaodian.com by the end of this year.

The company also cooperates with Dongfang CJ, a TV program for family shopping which has helped the company broaden its market, expand its brand influence and increase sales.