Traditionally, a Chinese study is inseparable from the four items that are associated with calligraphy and painting: the brush, the ink-stick, paper and ink-stone.

The brush used for calligraphy or painting comes in different sizes and is mad from different types of animal hair. Some people even cut the hair of their newborn babies to make brushes as souvenirs. It is said that these brushes will make the children excel in their studies when they grow up.

The ink-stick and ink-stone come as a pair, one cannot do without the other. They can be elaborately designed and are often decorated with carvings. For example, it is quite common to find “the five kinds of luck” carved on the ink-stone.

The paper used for calligraphy or Chinese painting is a special kind of high quality rice paper. It absorbs ink from the brush very well, preventing it from smudging.