The Ming and Qing dynasties saw the appearance of the Four Famous Ink Stones—Duan Ink Stone, She Ink Stone, Tao Ink Stone and Chengni Ink Stone.

明清时期出现了四大名砚——段砚、歙砚、陶砚和澄泥砚。

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The ink stone was already very popular in the Han Dynasty.

墨砚在汉代就已经很流行了。

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Among the high-quality (质量) treasures, the writing brush produced in Huzhou, the ink stick produced in Huizhou, the xuan paper made in Xuancheng and the ink stone made in Duanxi are the best known.

在各种高质量瑰宝中，湖州产的毛笔、徽州产的墨、宣城产的宣纸和端溪产的砚石最为出名。

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The artist draws an image with oily ink onto a piece of stone or other flat surface.

VOA: special.2009.09.02

When printing begins, the stone is kept wet and then covered with oily ink.

VOA: special.2009.09.02

Before printing, the stone is washed with ink and water.

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