Baisha Maolong brush was originally created by Chen Xianzhang, or Chen Baisha, a poet and calligrapher, in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). It uses thatch, or dried hay, from Guifeng Mountain as its ingredients, and undergoes a series of processes such as soaking, hammering, binding and trimming. Baisha Maolong Brush is a favorable choice for people to create Chinese calligraphy and traditional Chinese paintings, as it presents a rustic and unrestrained style while maintaining the simplicity and grace features. The craft of Baisha Maolong brush was listed as a national intangible cultural heritage in 2008.
Zhang Ruiheng, an inheritor of the craft, has been engaging in it for over 40 years. Besides inheriting the traditional making craft of Baisha Maolong brush, Zhang also explored creative application of the brush. He found that compared to common Chinese brushes, Baisha Maolong brush can make more changes. In Zhang's opinion, the best promotion of the craft is to show people its features in writing.
