Mastering the art of calligraphy can be hard work, involving hours of rigorous training and concentration. Sometimes, all you want to do is take a break from the discipline of your routine to experiment with different strokes and calligraphic scripts. For days like these, we recommend the Cheeky Rat brush for your forays into more spirited forms of expression.

Do not be fooled by the serious demeanor of this slim, all-black hard hair brush. A quick glance at its catchy, alliterative Chinese name, Shu Hao Shu Hua, which is carved on the wooden handle, is enough to tip one off to the playful intent with which the Cheeky Rat brush was dreamt up. Hand crafted by our family friend and master brush maker, Zhou Xiaobing, the choice of material for the brush tip verges on the exotic: Rat hair. The degree of resilience offered by rat hair surpasses even that of weasel and rabbit hair, which are often used in the making of hard hair brushes.

Thanks to its stiff yet highly supple tip, the Cheeky Rat brush is preferred by calligraphers specializing in the Xing Shu and Cao Shu scripts, which are commonly referred to as semi-cursive and cursive scripts, respectively. The Xing Shu script (literally “running script”) sees the calligrapher writing with quick movements to produce smooth, fluent strokes so as to allow the transfer of emotional states to paper as they arise. The Cao Shu script (literally “grass script”) offers the artist the opportunity to release stronger surges of emotional energy through the creation of dynamic strokes and dancing lines. If your preference is for either of these two scripts, the Cheeky Rat brush is perfect for your purposes as its responsive tip will spring back to position immediately after pressure is exerted on it.

The Cheeky Rat brush can also be used in Sumi-e and fine line painting for drawing delicate lines since the stiffness of its tip provides excellent control when it comes to detailed brush work. Alternate between the flourishes of Xing Shu and Cao Shu scripts and the carefully-drawn lines with this specialty brush and, who knows, you may one day discover your own innovative style of painting or calligraphy.