Ma Weidu comments on the origin of the name "Xiaoye Zitan" (Small-Leaf Purple Sandalwood): I believe that the origin of the name Xiaoye Zitan is a case of mistaken transmission. Zitan wood is not produced in China, and in the past as well as today, it has been entirely imported, transported by ship. Before being loaded onto the ships, the Zitan had no branches or leaves, only the main trunk remained. This was done for two reasons: to facilitate transportation and to increase utilization efficiency. The branches were useless and therefore did not need to be shipped. As a result, the Chinese never saw the leaves of the Zitan tree and thus had no way to compare the size of the leaves. However, many years ago, I once heard an old craftsman say that the size of the Zitan's pores could distinguish the quality of the material, with smaller pores being better than larger ones.
In Beijing dialect, "small pore" sounds very similar to "small leaf." Outsiders mistakenly assumed it referred to the leaves, thus calling it "Small-Leaf Zitan." Over time, this error was repeated and the misnomer "Small-Leaf Zitan" has persisted until today.
When so-called Small-Leaf Zitan became scarce, "Large-Leaf Zitan" made its appearance. In the past, old craftsmen referred to "large-pore Zitan" or "Huaili Zitan," which refers to this type of Zitan having rougher texture with large and long pores. Huaili Zitan was a substitute material during the late Qing Dynasty and the Republic of China period when there was a craze for Zitan furniture. Its source was unclear, and the quantity was not very large. Due to less developed trade at the time, finding such substitutes was considered satisfactory, and Large-Pore (or Huaili) Zitan hastily entered the market. This type of Zitan has always been looked down upon by collectors, who consider it inferior and a fraud.
The so-called "new material Small-Leaf Zitan" and "Large-Leaf Zitan" commonly mentioned in today's market are not the same as the aforementioned two types. These are entirely the result of merchants' efforts. They have forcibly categorized new materials that resemble or are close to Zitan, and due to market demand, this classification has been accepted and quickly gained popularity. Countless times, merchants have confidently assured me about the differences between Small-Leaf and Large-Leaf, deeply impressing me with their unwavering spirit.