Overview

This book explores the profound connection between traditional Chinese calligraphy and its philosophical roots. In a world where innovation often overshadows tradition, this book serves as a crucial reminder of the value and significance of ancient practices that have shaped the art form for centuries. The author embarks on an investigative journey to rediscover the ancient techniques employed by the revered calligrapher Wang Xizhi, which have been lost for nearly 700 years. Through rigorous experimentation, she reveals that true calligraphy must adhere to these traditional methods; otherwise, it becomes mere painting. She emphasized that any departure from Wang Xizhi’s methods undermines the essence of calligraphy itself. By reframing the discourse around calligraphy, the author invites readers to appreciate the depth of the traditional approach.

Full Product Details

Author:   Sun Xiaoyun
Publisher:   Peter Lang AG, Internationaler Verlag der Wissenschaften
Imprint:   Peter Lang AG, Internationaler Verlag der Wissenschaften
Edition:   New edition
Weight:   0.494kg
ISBN:  

9783034350365

ISBN 10:   3034350368
Pages:   308
Publication Date:   24 March 2025
Audience:   Professional and scholarly ,  Professional & Vocational
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   In Print  
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Table of Contents

Preface to Peter Lang Edition – Preface to Original Edition – Calligraphy: Truly Deserving of ‘China’ – Three Incidents That Perplexed Me – ‘Getting to the Root’ – What Does ‘Convenience’ Mean? – The Blind Men and an Elephant – Doubting the ‘Eight Principles of the Character Yong’ – Mastering Brush Grip – ‘Five Fingers’ or ‘Five Characters’ – Visualizing ‘Adjusting the Stirrups’ – Calligraphy: Mastering Brushwork Techniques – Man is the Measure of All Things’ – The Emergence of Brushwork Techniques 1. ‘Gathering the Brush-tip 裹锋’ and Continuous Writing – The Emergence of Brushwork Techniques 2. Writing Without Support – Reasoning Boldly – Diameter of the Brush Shaft – Brush Bristle: Length and Hardness – The Origin of Paper and the Concept of ‘Move, Lift, Hold, and Dye’ – Insights from ‘The Execution of Chen Shimei’ – Brushwork Techniques Root in Writing Posture – The Swan Song of ‘the Ancient Method’ – Unconscious Loss – Merits and Demerits of Using a Table – Exploring the ‘Eight-Point Script’ – Shaping Form and Momentum through Xiang and Bei – What a Giant Elephant! – The Culmination of Calligraphy: Zhangcao – The Physiological Limits of Lihua and Meihua – Wanfa: Weaving Three Strands into One – Shangfa: Engraving the Calligraphy of Wang Xizhi in the Heart – Bianfa: Perseverance of Brushwork Techniques amid Evolution of Characters – Wufa: Accepting the Unavoidable Reality – Is Calligraphy a Visual Art? – Decoding Ancient Analogies – The Regeneration of Rotational Momentum in Brushwork – Understanding ‘Contraction’ and ‘Expansion’ – Semi-cursive Script: the Last to Take the Stage – Personalizing Aesthetics in the Art of Calligraphy – Deciphering the Misconstrued ‘Intention Comes Before Writing – The Impact of Brush Rotating on Right-to-Left Vertical Writing – Debunking the Myth of ‘Solid Fingers and Open Palms’ – Describing the Unseen Sun to the Blind – The Inadvertent Mislabeling: A Reflection on ‘Calling a Stag a Horse’ – Unraveling the Study of Tie: An Examination of Its Collapse – Reassessing the Study of Bei – The Pitfalls of ‘Drawing Characters’ – A Concise Historic Overview of Japanese Calligraphy – Distinguishing the Boundaries Between Calligraphy and Painting – The Frustrating Debate on ‘the Essence of Calligraphy’ – Decoding the Universal Principles of Calligraphy – A Revelatory Moment During Commute – The Confusion about Traditional Chinese Painting – Unveiling the Association Between gufa and Brushwork Techniques – Exploring the Shared Origins of Calligraphy and Traditional Chinese Painting – The Indispensable Role of Brushwork Techniques in the Traditional Chinese Painting – The Singular Trajectory to Mount Hua’s Summit – Literati Painting – The Distant Mountain in the Mist – ‘When a Painting Resembles its Subject, it is Reminiscent of a Child’s Work’ – The Imitation Game – Truth and Helplessness – The Tale of Jizi – Postscript to the Revised Edition – Works by Sun Xiaoyun – Bibliography – Translators’ Acknowledgment – Index.

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Author Information

Sun Xiaoyun, a distinguished calligrapher, started her classical training at the tender age of three. She serves as President of the China Calligraphers Association and Honorary Director of the Jiangsu Art Museum.

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