There is a writing brush store with a history of over 100 years in an alley near Kunming Daguan Commercial Center.It was moved to Kunming from Jiangxi province in the early years of the Republic of China（1912-1949). This inconspicuous store had its glorious days when its writing brushes were sold all over Kunming, even Yunnan.

Gui Huanlan, the widow of the fourth-generation inheritor of the store said:" Our ancestors moved here with a wheelbarrow. The most prosperous period was in the 1930s and 1940s.More than ten people made writing brushes at that time. And our ancestors made penholders themselves. Over a thousand brushes could be sold in one month, maybe more than one thousand five hundred.

A fine writing brush made of weasel’s hair was worth the price of 2kg of pork. We were the only store making writing brush in Kunming. There were also other stores selling writing brushes, but they did not make. They imported from other provinces. "

Signatures hung on the old walls remind customers of its former glory. Government officials and calligraphers in those days proved the exquisite skill of the store and their favor to its products with their extraordinary calligraphy. The counter is filled with all sorts of writing brushes.

Some customers worried about the inheritance of the craftsmanship of making writing brush.

If it is lost, they will find no place to buy. "I am also worrying about this, but I do not want a inheritor from my grandchildren. I’m not willing to trap them into the poor lives. I hope them do other jobs. "

Zhang Mingjie, the fourth-generation inheritor of Zhang Xuecheng Writing Brush, passed away in 2008. His 83-year-old wife Gui Huanlan runs the store now. She is the last person of the family who knows the whole procedures of making writing brushes.

Gui doesn’t want an inheritor from her family. In her eyes, writing brush store is just a small business, not a profitable business. Today, a writing brush is no longer a necessity for daily life.

But Gui said: "as long as I am making brushes, they are as good as 100 years ago. The legacy of our ancestors will be preserved."(Editor:Lynn)