与笔、墨、纸相比,砚虽然排名第四,似乎可有可无、好坏无妨,但实际上却属它受宠爱最厚。究其原因,大抵因其天生形质与后天塑造,使其更适于观赏与把玩。藏砚——千年来被视作文人雅士的逸志。
Compared with writing brush, ink stick and paper, ink stone is ranked the fourth, but is most doted on by the literatus, for it is more suitable for appreciation and collection on account of its natural beauty and well carving. The collection of ink stones has been the traditional hobby of Chinese literatus and scholars.endprint