Walnut Pairs

Cultured Relics
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Essentials

Gloves

Best to be used to avoid direct contact with dirt or heavy sweat from palms.

Brush

Best to be used to polish for the purpose of "basing" or to form a layer of "Patina"

IMPORTANT

  • Preventing Cracking

    Regardless of the type of walnut, they are all made of wood. As a wooden material, walnuts share the same characteristic as other types of wood: rapid moisture loss can cause cracking. Therefore, when you first purchase new walnuts and begin playing with them, avoid taking them outdoors or exposing them to air conditioning or fans indoors for the first two weeks (or longer). This prevents the walnuts from losing moisture too quickly and cracking. When not in use, store them in a sealed plastic bag to preserve their moisture. Play with them for longer periods daily to allow the walnuts to develop a protective patina quickly and stabilize their moisture levels.

    Some enthusiasts apply oil to their walnuts to prevent cracking, avoid doing so. Regardless of the type of oil, the chemical composition is generally the same, and it’s difficult to control the amount applied. Additionally, the texture and density of each walnut vary, making it easy for the walnuts to develop uneven coloration. Moreover, oil can affect the long-term results of playing with the walnuts.

  • Brush Often

    Many enthusiasts only play with their walnuts without brushing them, which can stem from two main reasons: finding it troublesome or lacking time. If you want to achieve a pair of walnuts that are both rosy and translucent, brushing them is an essential step. Without it, you won’t see the desired results—unless your sole purpose is to keep your hands busy or exercise your fingers. Only through effort and regular brushing will the results naturally appear over time. For those who find it troublesome or say they lack the time, let me point out that no significant results can be achieved without effort. If you admire someone else’s walnuts and wish for the same results, you must put in the effort. Claiming a lack of time or finding it inconvenient are merely excuses for laziness or giving up halfway. Brushing walnuts can be done while watching TV; just take out a brush and work on them as you watch, achieving two things at once. If you can keep at it for two to three months, you’ll start to see the results of brushing.

  • Value Persistence

    Many people admire the rosy, beautiful walnuts others have but fail to recognize the time and effort invested by those individuals. They overlook how long others have consistently played with their walnuts—often for years. It’s unrealistic to expect results in a few months that take others 10 to 20 years to achieve. After all, walnuts are organic wooden materials, and their transformation is a chemical process. Organic reactions are typically much slower than inorganic ones. The interaction between hand sweat, oil, and the walnuts requires time to gradually bring about changes in the wood. Rushing won’t help. As long as you persist in playing with them over the long term, you will eventually achieve the results you desire.

Technique 1:

Polishing

Polishing is the most intricate technique for handling cultural walnuts. It can be divided into two types: gentle polishing (文盘) and vigorous polishing (武盘). Gentle polishing is used when walnuts are newly acquired and lack a protective patina. At this stage, they are more fragile and prone to damage if dropped or bumped, so a soft and careful approach is needed. Vigorous polishing is applied after the walnuts have been handled for some time, their texture has stabilized, and a protective patina has formed. During vigorous polishing, the walnuts are rubbed against each other, which can further accelerate the patina formation process.

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Technique 2:

Twisting

Twisting is often used for handling beaded bracelets, but it is equally necessary for cultural walnuts. Twisting ensures that every part of the walnuts is played with evenly. The action is straightforward: place one walnut in the palm of your hand and the other at the base of your thumb. Use your thumb to twist the walnut, rotating it as you go, to achieve uniform handling. After twisting for a few cycles, switch the positions—place the walnut from the palm to the thumb base and vice versa. Repeat this process to ensure even handling of both walnuts.

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Technique 3:

Brushing

Brushing is just as important as handling when it comes to walnut pairs. Simply handling them without brushing won’t achieve the desired uniform gloss. This is especially critical for walnuts with deep textures, as unbrushed grooves can accumulate impurities, leading to oxidation and blackening over time. Brushing not only cleans but also accelerates the formation of a shiny patina. Typically, a pig bristle brush or "nano brush" is commonly used, employing three techniques: flat brushing, point brushing, and flick brushing. This ensures the walnuts are cleaned and polished on all surfaces.

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By practicing these techniques for about one to two months, the surface of the walnut pair will develop a patina. At this stage, it’s time to take off your gloves and start playing with clean hands to nurture.

Benefits of Walnut Pairs

  1. Sense of Permanence: The collection and enjoyment of walnuts pairs have an enduring lifespan. It is natural to appreciate and treasure them for years or even decades, accompanying you throughout your life. Some may even pass them down to future generations, at which point their value and beauty will be beyond words.
  2. Sense of Charm: The cultural essence contained within antique walnuts. As the antique world says: "Ancient artifacts that have survived countless natural and social calamities to this day inevitably carry, to varying degrees, our ancestors' rich information, such as their clothing, food, housing, customs, beliefs, ideals, and aspirations of their times."
  3. Sense of Prestige: Antique walnuts originated in the Han and Tang dynasties and flourished during the Ming and Qing dynasties. They were once the playthings of royal families and high-ranking officials. Many emperors across dynasties collected and deeply cherished walnut pairs, which were also a unique tribute item. In the past, common folk rarely had the opportunity to own them. Today, we can all possess and enjoy them, appreciating their elegance with every turn and applause.
  4. Sense of Health: Since ancient times, playing with antique walnuts has been regarded as a treasure for enhancing health. First, it exercises the tendons and bones, promoting blood circulation. Second, the grooves and edges of the walnuts help to stimulate acupuncture points, improve meridian flow, and ward off illnesses, contributing to longevity and reducing the risk of high blood pressure or cerebral thrombosis. Third, modern science has proven that rolling walnuts can slow aging, prevent cardiovascular diseases, and reduce the risk of stroke.
  5. Sense of Value: Wild walnuts are rare, and finding a perfectly matched pair is extremely difficult. Moreover, they are non-renewable, and no two walnuts in the world are identical. This is an undisputed fact. As more and more people begin to appreciate walnuts, the value of a well-maintained pair can multiply several times or even by hundreds of times. Based on the current market, walnuts not only retain their value but can also appreciate, making them a worthwhile investment.
  6. Sense of Achievement: By learning to identify and evaluate the varieties, appearance, and quality of walnut pairs, one can hone their discernment skills. In the current market for walnuts pairs, various players dominate the scene like "feudal lords." Therefore, if a collector can distinguish at a glance the quality, value, variety, appearance, and texture of a walnut, it is a testament to their expertise and accomplishment.
  7. Sense of Ownership: Those who engage in this hobby long-term are called enthusiasts. While "walnut pairs" may seem like a niche interest, there are unwritten rules within the community. High-quality and well-maintained aged walnuts are rare treasures. The sentiment of "I have what others don’t!" evokes pride. When inspiration strikes, no matter the occasion, one can admire or play with them freely, drawing envy from others. This sense of unrestricted enjoyment and personal ownership is truly unique.
  8. Sense of Joy: There are many intricacies and techniques involved in playing with walnuts. Take the "gentle method" for example: one should rotate them lightly and smoothly in their hands, ensuring a natural and fluid motion. It’s important to avoid making any noise, maintaining a seamless flow between the two walnuts, often described as "one breath." This practice helps the player achieve a sense of calm and improved circulation, enhancing their overall well-being.