Xuan writing brush Xuan writing brush Xuan writing brush or Xuanbi (), is a type of ink brush made in Anhui Province, China. Xuan brushes are often mentioned together with the famous Xuan paper - a kind of writing paper (rice-paper). The ink brushes are normally made in Jingxian County (currently Jing County) of Anhui Province. In ancient times, Jingxian County was under the jurisdiction of Xuanzhou Prefecture (宣州府; Xuān-Zhōu Fǔ; currently Xuancheng), so its name bears the character "Xuan" (Xuān). The Xuan brushes gained popularity in Jin Dynasty (256-420) among classic scholars, governmental officials, calligraphists and painters. During the Tang Dynasty (618-907)
Dao-xuan Dao-xuan Dao-xuan (, 702-760) or "Dōsen" in Japanese was a prominent Chinese monk in early Japanese Buddhism, responsible for importing Northern School Chan teachings, Huayan school teachings and the Bodhisattva Precepts to Japan in 736. He also served as the for ordination prior to the arrival of Ganjin, and presided over the opening of the Tōdai-ji Temple. Dao-xuan was born in Hunan Province in 702, and ordained at an early age in the Vinaya school in China (律宗) at Dafu (大福) temple in Loyang. After learning the Vinaya, he traveled and practiced Chan meditation for a time followed by intensive