澄泥砚的诞生，是大自然的馈赠与人类智慧的完美契合。其起源可追溯至遥远的秦汉时期，而关于它的最早记载，散见于《西京杂记》等古籍之中。相传，秦代工匠在修建阿房宫时，偶然发现经过筛选、沉淀的黄河泥沙，在烈火焚烧后竟能形成坚硬如石的材质，这一发现为澄泥砚的诞生埋下了伏笔。
The birth of the cinnabar clay inkstone is a perfect match of nature's gift and human wisdom. Its origin can be traced back to the distant Qin and Han dynasties, and the earliest records about it are scattered in ancient books such as "Miscellaneous Records of the Western Capital". It is said that when the craftsmen of the Qin Dynasty were building the Epang Palace, they accidentally discovered that the Yellow River sediment that had been screened and settled could form a material as hard as stone after being burned by fire. This discovery laid the groundwork for the birth of the cinnabar clay inkstone.
黄河，这条孕育了华夏文明的母亲河，为澄泥砚提供了最独特的原料。黄河流域的泥沙，经过千万年的冲刷与沉淀，富含多种矿物质，质地细腻纯净，黏性适中，是制作澄泥砚的绝佳材料。尤其是晋南绛州（今山西新绛）、河南虢州（今河南灵宝）一带的黄河澄泥，因泥沙沉积环境特殊，所含成分比例恰到好处，成为历代澄泥砚制作的核心产区，素有“绛州澄泥砚甲天下”的美誉。
The Yellow River, the mother river that gave birth to Chinese civilisation, provides the most unique raw material for the cinnabar clay inkstone. The sediment in the Yellow River Basin, after millions of years of erosion and sedimentation, is rich in various minerals, has a fine and pure texture, and moderate viscosity, making it an excellent material for making cinnabar clay inkstones. Especially the Yellow River cinnabar clay from Jiangzhou in southern Shanxi (now Xingjiang, Shanxi) and Guozhou in Henan (now Lingbao, Henan), due to the special sedimentation environment of silt and sand, has a well-balanced proportion of components and has become the core production area for cinnabar clay inkstones throughout history. It is renowned as "the cinnabar clay inkstones from Jiangzhou are the best in the world".
汉代以后，澄泥砚的制作工艺逐渐成熟，开始从民间器物走向文人书房。到了唐代，澄泥砚迎来了第一个鼎盛时期。此时的澄泥砚不仅质地愈发精良，造型也更加丰富多样，花鸟鱼虫、山水人物等图案纷纷出现在砚台之上，成为兼具实用价值与艺术价值的文房珍品。唐太宗李世民曾将澄泥砚赏赐给近臣，一时间，使用澄泥砚成为文人雅士的风尚。
After the Han Dynasty, the production techniques of cinnabar clay inkstones gradually matured and began to move from folk artefacts to scholars' study rooms. By the Tang Dynasty, the cinnabar clay inkstone entered its first golden age. At this time, the clay inkstones not only became increasingly fine in quality but also more diverse in shape. Patterns of flowers, birds, fish, insects, landscapes and figures appeared on the inkstones one after another, making them precious stationery items with both practical and artistic value. Emperor Taizong of Tang, Li Shimin, once bestowed cinnabar clay inkstones upon his close ministers. For a time, using cinnabar clay inkstones became a trend among scholars and literati.
苏轼在《孙莘老寄墨四首》中写道：“瓦砚初如漆，澄泥久更坚”，寥寥数语便道出了澄泥砚的特质。明清时期，澄泥砚的制作工艺更加精湛，出现了“鳝鱼黄”“蟹壳青”“玫瑰紫”等多种名贵色泽，每一方砚台都堪称稀世珍品。然而，清末民初以来，随着战乱频繁与现代工业的冲击，澄泥砚的制作工艺逐渐衰落，甚至一度濒临失传。直到近年来，在一批非遗传承人的努力下，这门古老的技艺才重焕生机。
In his "Four Poems on Ink Sent by Sun Xinlao", Su Shi wrote: "At first, the clay inkstone is as hard as lacquer, but the clear clay becomes even harder after a long time." These few words simply describe the characteristics of the clear clay inkstone. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, the production techniques of clay inkstones became even more exquisite, giving rise to a variety of precious colours such as "eel yellow", "crab shell green", and "rose purple". Each inkstone was a rare treasure. However, since the late Qing Dynasty and the early Republic of China, with frequent wars and the impact of modern industry, the production techniques of cinnabar clay inkstones gradually declined and were even once on the verge of being lost. It was not until recent years, with the efforts of a group of intangible cultural heritage inheritors, that this ancient skill regained its vitality.
02.
淬炼：工序匠心的坚守
Tempering: The persistence of meticulous craftsmanship in each process
“一方澄泥砚，千锤百炼来”，澄泥砚的珍贵，不仅在于其独特的原料，更在于其复杂繁琐的制作工艺。从一捧泥土到一方名砚，需要经过七十二道工序的淬炼，每一道工序都凝聚着匠人的心血与智慧，容不得半点马虎。
The preciousness of a cinnabar clay inkstone lies not only in its unique raw materials but also in its complex and cumbersome production process. From a handful of soil to a famous inkstone, it requires the refinement of seventy-two procedures, each of which embodies the artisan's hard work and wisdom, leaving no room for the slightest carelessness.
（1）选土
选土是制作澄泥砚的第一步，也是最关键的一步。匠人需要深入黄河岸边，寻找那些经过自然筛选、沉淀多年的深层泥沙。这些泥沙颜色纯正、质地细腻、不含杂质，是制作澄泥砚的基础。选好的泥土不能直接使用，需先进行“澄滤”。
Selecting soil is the first and most crucial step in making a cinnabar inkstone. Artisans need to venture deep into the banks of the Yellow River to search for the deep-seated silt that has been naturally screened and settled for many years. These sands are pure in colour, fine in texture and free of impurities, and they are the basis for making cinnabar inkstones. The selected soil cannot be used directly and needs to be "clarified and filtered" first.
将泥土放入水中浸泡、搅拌，使泥沙充分分散，然后通过细筛过滤掉其中的碎石、草根等杂质。过滤后的泥浆需要放入缸中沉淀，待泥浆自然分层后，取中层细腻的泥膏备用，这个过程往往需要数月时间，目的是去除泥土中的水分与杂质，使泥土更加纯净。
Soak and stir the soil in water to fully disperse the silt and sand, and then filter out impurities such as crushed stones and grass roots through a fine sieve. The filtered slurry needs to be placed in a tank for sedimentation. After the slurry naturally stratifies, the fine mud paste in the middle layer is taken for later use. This process usually takes several months, with the aim of removing water and impurities from the soil to make it purer.
（2）制坯
制坯是塑造澄泥砚形态的关键环节。匠人将沉淀好的泥膏取出，反复揉捏、捶打，使其质地均匀、充满韧性，这个过程就像揉面一样，需要耗费大量的体力。揉好的泥膏被放入预先制作好的模具中，或者由匠人手工捏塑成型。
The shaping process is a crucial step in shaping the form of the cinnabar clay inkstone. The craftsman takes out the well-settled paste and repeatedly kneads and pounds it to make its texture uniform and full of toughness. This process is like kneading dough and requires a great deal of physical effort. The kneaded paste is placed in pre-made moulds or hand-shaped by artisans.
手工捏塑对匠人的技艺要求极高，需要凭借多年的经验与手感，将泥膏塑造成各种精美的造型，无论是简洁大方的长方形砚，还是造型复杂的仿生砚，都需要精准把握线条与比例，确保砚台的美观与实用。
Hand-moulding demands extremely high skills from the artisans. It requires years of experience and a sense of touch to shape the clay into various exquisite forms. Whether it is a simple and elegant rectangular inkstone or a complex bionic inkstone, precise control of lines and proportions is necessary to ensure the beauty and practicality of the inkstone.
（3）晾坯
晾坯，是一个考验耐心的过程。成型后的砚坯质地柔软，需要放在阴凉通风处自然晾干，不能阳光直射，也不能风吹雨淋，否则砚坯容易开裂。
Drying the blanks is a process that tests one's patience. The formed inkstone blank is soft and needs to be placed in a cool and well-ventilated area to dry naturally. It should not be exposed to direct sunlight, wind, or wind and rain; the inkstone blank is prone to cracking.
晾坯的时间根据砚台的大小与厚度而定，小的砚台需要十几天，大的砚台则需要数月甚至半年时间。在晾坯过程中，匠人需要每天观察砚坯的变化，及时调整环境湿度与温度，确保砚坯均匀晾干。
The time for drying the blank depends on the size and thickness of the inkstone. Small inkstones need about ten days, while large ones may take several months or even half a year. During the drying process of the inkstone blanks, the artisans need to observe the changes of the inkstone blanks every day, adjust the environmental humidity and temperature promptly, and ensure that the inkstone blanks dry evenly.
（4）烧制
烧制，是澄泥砚“脱胎换骨”的关键一步，也是最具风险的环节。晾干的砚坯被送入特制的窑中，用松木、柏木等燃料进行烧制。烧制的温度与火候控制至关重要，温度过低，砚台质地疏松，容易渗水；温度过高，砚台则会开裂变形。
Firing is a crucial step for the transformation of the cinnabar clay inkstone, and also the most risky one. The dried inkstone blanks are sent into specially designed kilns and fired with fuels such as pine and cypress. The temperature and heat control during firing are of vital importance. If the temperature is too low, the inkstone will become loose and prone to water seepage. If the temperature is too high, the inkstone will crack and deform.
匠人需要凭借多年的经验，通过观察窑火的颜色与火焰的形态，精准控制烧制的温度与时间，这个过程往往需要连续数天不眠不休地守在窑边。在烧制过程中，砚台会发生一系列物理与化学变化，泥土中的矿物质与燃料的成分相互作用，形成各种独特的色泽，这也是澄泥砚“入窑一色，出窑万彩”的奥秘所在。
Artisans need to rely on years of experience to precisely control the firing temperature and time by observing the colour and shape of the kiln fire. This process often requires them to stay by the kiln for several consecutive days without sleep or rest. During the firing process, the inkstone undergoes a series of physical and chemical changes. The minerals in the soil interact with the components of the fuel, forming various unique colours. This is also the mystery behind the saying "One colour when entering the kiln, a myriad of colours when leaving the kiln" for the cinnabar clay inkstone.
烧制完成后的砚台还需要经过打磨、上蜡等工序。匠人用细砂纸反复打磨砚台的表面，使其光滑细腻，触感温润。然后将砚台放入蜡锅中，用低温浸泡，使蜡质渗透到砚台的细微孔隙中，不仅能增强砚台的防水性能，还能使砚台的色泽更加温润明亮。最后，匠人还会对砚台进行精细的雕刻与修饰，在砚台的表面雕刻出精美的图案与铭文，使每一方澄泥砚都成为独一无二的艺术珍品。
After the inkstone is fired, it still needs to go through processes such as grinding and waxing. The craftsman repeatedly sanded the surface of the inkstone with fine sandpaper to make it smooth and fine, with a warm touch. Then place the inkstone in a wax pot and soak it at a low temperature, allowing the wax to penetrate the fine pores of the inkstone. This not only enhances the inkstone's water resistance but also makes its colour more lustrous and bright. Finally, the artisans will also carry out meticulous carving and decoration on the inkstones, engraving exquisite patterns and inscriptions on their surfaces, making each clay inkstone a unique artistic treasure.
03.
品鉴：温润如玉的君子品格
Appreciation: The gentle and refined character of a gentleman is like jade
中国人爱砚，不仅爱其实用价值，更爱其蕴含的文化品格。澄泥砚以其“温润如玉、坚而不顽”的特质，成为文人墨客心中君子品格的象征，其品鉴之道，也蕴含着深厚的文化内涵。
Chinese people love inkstones not only for their practical value but also for the cultural qualities they embody. The cinnabar inkstone, with its characteristics of being "as smooth as jade and firm yet not stubborn", has become a symbol of the noble character in the hearts of scholars and poets. The way to appreciate it also contains profound cultural connotations.
观其色，是品鉴澄泥砚的第一步。澄泥砚的色泽丰富多样，其中以“鳝鱼黄”“蟹壳青”“玫瑰紫”最为名贵。“鳝鱼黄”色泽温润，如鳝鱼之背，光泽柔和；“蟹壳青”颜色深沉，如蟹壳般凝重，沉稳大气。
Observing its colour is the first step in appreciating a cinnabar clay inkstone. The colours of the cinnabar clay inkstone are rich and diverse, among which "eel yellow", "crab shell green" and "rose purple" are the most precious. "Eel yellow" has a warm and mellow colour, like the back of an eel, with a soft lustre. The "Crab Shell Green" colour is profound, as solemn and dignified as a crab shell, steady and grand.
“玫瑰紫”则色泽艳丽，如玫瑰绽放，高贵典雅。这些色泽并非人工染色，而是通过泥土的成分与烧制工艺自然形成，每一方砚台的色泽都独一无二，温润内敛，没有石砚的锋芒毕露，却自有一种含蓄之美。
"Rose purple" has a bright and vivid colour, like a blooming rose, noble and elegant. These colours are not artificially dyed but naturally formed through the composition of the soil and the firing process. Each inkstone has a unique colour, warm and reserved, without the sharpness of stone inkstones, but with a kind of subtle beauty.
触其质，是感受澄泥砚魅力的关键。澄泥砚的质地细腻温润，抚之如婴孩肌肤，光滑而不滑腻，坚硬而不硌手。用手指轻叩砚台，声音浑厚低沉，没有石砚的清脆之声，却自有一种沉稳厚重之感。这种质地使得澄泥砚具有良好的发墨性能，研墨时墨汁细腻均匀，不易干涸，而且墨汁在砚台中存放时间长了也不会变质，深受文人墨客的喜爱。
Touching its texture is the key to experiencing the charm of the cinnabar clay inkstone. The texture of the cinnabar clay inkstone is fine and warm. When touched, it feels like a baby's skin, smooth but not greasy, hard but not uncomfortable to the hand. Tap the inkstone gently with your fingers. The sound is deep and low, without the crisp sound of a stone inkstone, but it has a sense of stability and weightiness. This texture endows the cinnabar clay inkstone with excellent ink-spreading performance. When grinding ink, the ink is fine and uniform, and it is not easy to dry up. Moreover, the ink will not deteriorate even after being stored in the inkstone for a long time, which is deeply loved by scholars and literati.
赏其形，是品鉴澄泥砚艺术价值的重要环节。澄泥砚的造型丰富多样，既有简洁大方的几何造型，如长方形、正方形、圆形等，也有造型复杂的仿生造型，如鱼形、鸟形、山水形等。无论是哪种造型，都注重线条的流畅与比例的协调，体现了“天人合一”的审美理念。
Appreciating its shape is an important part of appreciating the artistic value of the cinnabar clay inkstone. The shapes of cinnabar clay inkstones are rich and diverse. They include simple and elegant geometric shapes such as rectangles, squares, and circles, as well as complex biomimetic shapes like fish, birds, and landscapes. No matter what kind of shape it is, it pays attention to the smoothness of lines and the coordination of proportions, embodying the aesthetic concept of "harmony between man and nature".
许多澄泥砚还会在表面雕刻精美的图案与铭文，图案或取材于自然景物，或源自历史典故，铭文则多为文人墨客的题咏与感悟，这些雕刻与铭文不仅丰富了砚台的文化内涵，更提升了其艺术价值。
Many clay inkstones are also engraved with exquisite patterns and inscriptions on their surfaces. The patterns are either drawn from natural scenes or historical allusions, while the inscriptions are mostly the writings and insights of scholars and poets. These carvings and inscriptions not only enrich the cultural connotations of the inkstones but also enhance their artistic value.
04.
传承：在时光中重焕生机的非遗瑰宝
Inheritance: Intangible cultural heritage treasures that regain vitality in the passage of time
在现代社会，随着钢笔、电脑等书写工具的普及，砚台逐渐淡出了人们的日常生活，澄泥砚的传承也面临着诸多挑战。然而，在一批非遗传承人的坚守与努力下，这门古老的技艺正逐渐走出困境，在新时代重焕生机。
In modern society, with the popularisation of writing tools such as pens and computers, inkstones have gradually faded from People's Daily lives, and the inheritance of clay inkstones is also facing many challenges. However, with the perseverance and efforts of a group of intangible cultural heritage inheritors, this ancient art is gradually emerging from its predicament and regaining vitality in the new era.
李海平，就是绛州澄泥砚制作技艺的代表性传承人之一。他从小受家庭熏陶，对澄泥砚制作技艺产生了浓厚的兴趣。为了传承这门古老的技艺，他走遍了黄河沿岸的各个产区，寻找最优质的原料；他查阅了大量的古籍文献，挖掘整理失传的制作工艺
Li Haiping is one of the representative inheritors of the Jiangzhou cinnabar clay inkstone making technique. Influenced by his family since childhood, he developed a strong interest in the art of making cinnabar inkstones. In order to pass on this ancient art, he travelled all over the production areas along the Yellow River, seeking the highest quality raw materials. He consulted a large number of ancient books and documents, and excavated and sorted out the lost production techniques.
他反复试验，不断创新，将现代科技与传统工艺相结合，不仅改进了烧制技术，提高了砚台的质量与产量，还设计出了许多符合现代审美的新造型。在他的努力下，绛州澄泥砚不仅重新走进了人们的视野，还多次在国内外的文化展览中获奖，成为展示中国非遗文化的重要窗口。
He repeatedly experimented and constantly innovated, combining modern technology with traditional craftsmanship. Not only did he improve the firing technique and enhance the quality and output of inkstones, but he also designed many new shapes that conform to modern aesthetics. Thanks to his efforts, the Jiangzhou cinnabar clay inkstone has not only come back into people's view but also won awards many times in domestic and international cultural exhibitions, becoming an important window for showcasing China's intangible cultural heritage.
除了非遗传承人的坚守，政府与社会各界也对澄泥砚的传承给予了大力支持。各地政府纷纷将澄泥砚制作技艺列入非物质文化遗产保护名录，设立专项资金，扶持传承人的培养与技艺的创新；许多高校与科研机构也开始关注澄泥砚的研究，从原料分析、工艺改进等方面为澄泥砚的传承提供技术支持；越来越多的文化爱好者开始收藏澄泥砚，不仅推动了澄泥砚市场的发展，也为澄泥砚的传承注入了新的活力。
In addition to the dedication of intangible cultural heritage inheritors, the government and all sectors of society have also provided strong support for the inheritance of cinnabar clay inkstones. Local governments have successively included the making techniques of cinnabar clay inkstones in the list of intangible cultural heritage protection, set up special funds, and supported the cultivation of inheritors and the innovation of techniques. Many universities and research institutions have also begun to pay attention to the research of cinnabar clay inkstones, providing technical support for the inheritance of cinnabar clay inkstones from aspects such as raw material analysis and process improvement. More and more cultural enthusiasts have begun to collect cinnabar clay inkstones, which not only promotes the development of the cinnabar clay inkstone market but also injects new vitality into the inheritance of cinnabar clay inkstones.
在传承的同时，澄泥砚也在不断创新。如今的澄泥砚，不仅保留了传统的制作工艺与文化内涵，还融入了现代设计理念与审美需求。一些传承人将动漫形象、现代建筑等元素融入砚台的设计中，使澄泥砚更加贴近年轻人的生活。
While inheriting, the cinnabar inkstone is also constantly innovating. Today's cinnabar inkstones not only retain the traditional manufacturing techniques and cultural connotations but also incorporate modern design concepts and aesthetic demands. Some inheritors incorporate elements such as anime characters and modern architecture into the design of inkstones, making the cinnabar clay inkstones more closely related to the lives of young people.
还有一些传承人开发出了澄泥砚文创产品，如澄泥砚摆件、澄泥砚书签等，让澄泥砚以更加多样化的形式走进人们的生活。这些创新不仅没有破坏澄泥砚的传统韵味，反而为这门古老的技艺注入了新的生命力，使其在新时代焕发出更加耀眼的光彩。
Some inheritors have also developed cultural and creative products of cinnabar clay inkstones, such as cinnabar clay inkstone ornaments and cinnabar clay inkstone bookmarks, allowing cinnabar clay inkstones to enter people's lives in more diverse forms. These innovations not only failed to undermine the traditional charm of the cinnabar inkstone but also infused new vitality into this ancient craft, enabling it to shine even more brightly in the new era.
05.
土火交融中的文明印记
The imprints of civilisation in the blending of earth and fire
从黄河岸边的一捧泥土，到文人书房中的一方名砚，澄泥砚承载着千年的文明记忆，见证了华夏民族的智慧与坚守。它没有昂贵的材质，却以精湛的工艺与深厚的文化内涵，成为“四大名砚”中的佼佼者；它经历了岁月的沧桑与时代的变迁，却在传承人的坚守与创新中，始终保持着独特的魅力。
From a handful of soil by the Yellow River to a famous inkstone in a scholar's study, the cinnabar clay inkstone carries the memory of a thousand years of civilisation and bears witness to the wisdom and perseverance of the Chinese nation. It has no expensive materials, but with its exquisite craftsmanship and profound cultural connotations, it stands out among the "Four Famous Inkstones". It has endured the vicissitudes of time and the changes of the era, yet it has always maintained its unique charm through the persistence and innovation of its inheritors.
在这个快节奏的现代社会，澄泥砚不仅是一种文房用具，更是一种文化符号，它提醒着我们，在追求科技与效率的同时，不要忘记传承那些蕴含着民族智慧与精神的传统文化。每一方澄泥砚，都是土与火的千年对话，都是匠人与时光的深情相拥，它承载着我们对传统文化的敬畏与热爱，也寄托着我们对未来的希望与憧憬。
In this fast-paced modern society, the cinnabite inkstone is not only a stationery item but also a cultural symbol. It reminds us that while pursuing technology and efficiency, we should not forget to carry forward the traditional culture that embodies the wisdom and spirit of the nation. Each clay inkstone is a thousand-year-old dialogue between earth and fire, a deep embrace between artisans and time. It carries our reverence and love for traditional culture, as well as our hope and anticipation for the future.
愿这方温润如玉的澄泥砚，能够在时光的长河中继续传承下去，让更多的人感受到它的魅力，让这份土火交融的文明印记，永远闪耀在华夏文明的星空之中。
May this smooth and lustrous clay inkstone continue to be passed down in the long river of time, allowing more people to feel its charm, and let this cultural imprint of the integration of earth and fire always shine in the starry sky of Chinese civilisation.
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