在中国古代,笔、墨、纸、砚,被喻为“文房四宝”。这四种书写工具,其实未必真正应了稀有、昂贵才成其宝,确切地说,乃是重要,是因为须臾不可或缺。譬如,行文、作诗、绘画需要它们,写一手好字乃至想要学富五车自然更离不开它们。直到六世纪末,中国历史上的科举制度在隋唐施行,致“文房四宝”更显重要。尤其宋代,宋太祖开创的殿试制度,让皇帝钦点的状元,直接步入仕途:或治理地方,或参与朝政,甚或 In ancient China, pen, ink, paper, inkstone, has been hailed as “Four Treasures ”. In fact, these four kinds of writing instruments may not really be rare and expensive. However, they are important because they are indispensable. For example, writing, poetry, painting need them, writing good characters and even want to learn five rich cars naturally can not do without them. It was not until the end of the sixth century that the imperial examination system in Chinese history came into operation in the Sui and Tang dynasties. In particular, the Song dynasty and Song Taizu created a system of examinations for the dictatorship that the Emperor gave him directly into his career: either governing the place or participating in government affairs, or even