For centuries, Chinese calligraphers have classified brushes into Xiaokai (小楷), Zhongkai (中楷), and Dakai (大楷) – a sizing system rooted in both brush dimensions and artistic purpose. Understanding these categories unlocks precise control over your strokes, whether you’re crafting delicate poetry or bold scrolls.
The Brush Size Spectrum: From Miniature to Monumental
| Type | Tip Diameter | Ideal Character Size | Masterwork Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaokai | 3–5 mm | 0.5–1.5 cm | Zhong Yao’s Declaration Memorial |
| Zhongkai | 6–8 mm | 2–4 cm | Ouyang Xun’s Jiucheng Palace |
| Dakai | 9–12 mm | 5–10 cm | Liu Gongquan’s Mysterious Tower Stele |
| Tibi | 13+ mm | 10+ cm | Temple gate inscriptions |
✨ Pro Insight: These measurements follow Ming Dynasty standards still used by Huzhou master brush-makers today.
Why Size Matters: Performance Secrets
Xiaokai Brushes
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Hair Type: Purple rabbit or weasel tail (springy yet precise)
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Signature Trait: Needle-sharp tip for hair-thin lines
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Try This: Copy Wang Xizhi’s Orchid Pavilion Preface – the ultimate test of control
Zhongkai Brushes
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Hair Type: Wolf-goat blend (balance + ink flow)
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Hidden Strength: Forgiving for beginners yet expressive enough for cursive scripts
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Legendary Model: "Jade Orchid Bud" from Huzhou (羊毫玉兰蕊)
Dakai Brushes
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Hair Type: Goat hair (maximum ink capacity) or horsehair (powerful strokes)
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Design Secret: Longer handles (30cm+) for centrifugal control
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Master Move: Create "flying white" effects – those ethereal dry-brush wisps
4 Buyer’s Cheat Sheet
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The Script Test
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Xiaokai → Write "之" (zhī) to check turn precision
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Zhongkai → Stroke "永" (yǒng) for balanced pressure
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Dakai → Swirl "龍" (lóng) to gauge ink release
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Price vs. Longevity
Size Lifespan Xiaokai 1–2 years* Zhongkai 3–5 years Dakai 5+ years *With daily use and proper care -
Myth-Busting Truths
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❌ "Small brushes = only small characters" → Reality: Xiaokai brushes excel in intricate grass script details
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❌ "Big brushes lack finesse" → Reality: Master calligraphers create silk-thin lines with Dakai brushes
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Starter Wisdom
"Begin with Zhongkai – it’s the violin of brushes. Xiaokai demands surgeon’s hands, Dakai requires dancer’s arms."
– Jiang Xue, Contemporary Calligrapher
Historical Gold Nuggets
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Tang Dynasty: Brushes weren’t size-classified; artisans customized per scholar’s hand size.
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Song Dynasty (960–1279 CE): Imperial exams standardized Xiaokai – creating a boom in "exam brushes" with ergonomic grips.
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Qing Dynasty: Dakai brushes evolved with extra-long furs to mimic stele carving effects.
