Calligraphy brush (筆)

Chinese calligraphy brush maintenance:

1. Part 1: how to safely remove the glue from the hair of a new calligraphy brush
2. Part 2: how to wash a calligraphy brush

Calligraphy brush (筆), along with the ink, inkstone and paper, is one of The Four Treasures of the Study (文房四宝). First Chinese brushes appeared around 5000 - 3000 B.C.E.  (markings on Yangshao pottery). Calligraphy brushes come in various sizes, shapes, and are made of all kinds of animal hair (including bird feathers).