Summer camp children get brushed by ink tradition

Traditionally, the Chinese literati have four essential instruments — a brush, an ink stick, an ink stone and paper, which are collectively referred to as the "four jewels of the study".

A summer camp in Beijing took children to experience this traditional Chinese culture on July 6, guided by Wang Houxian, a renowned ink-brush maker from Huzhou, East China's Zhejiang province.

Huzhou is regarded as the home of the most famous and highly prized traditional ink brushes, known as hubi. Hu refers to Huzhou, and bi means ink brush.

Wang showcased the exquisite craftsmanship of the ink brush, and introduced the history and cultural significance of the technique.

The summer camp is one of the programs offered by the annual Gateway to Arts summer festival, which lasts for two months. The festival offers a diverse set of programs and is one of Beijing's biggest children's art festivals, held every summer since 1995.