Development of cursive script in Qin and Han Dynasties

The cursive script of Qin and Han Dynasties is the Cao Zhang period in the development history of China cursive script. The cursive script in the early Han Dynasty is a kind of official script (ancient book) written simply and quickly. This kind of cursive script can be seen from the bamboo slips of Shenque for four years. The cursive script of this period is the stage of Cao Li or Cao Li. During the Eastern Han Dynasty, cursive script gradually appeared. At this time, cursive scripts can be found in medical bamboo slips unearthed in Wuwei, bamboo slips unearthed in Dunhuang and bamboo slips unearthed in Beihou. In Cao Wei and the Western Jin Dynasty, cursive script was continuously processed by calligraphers, forming a formal cursive script. Later generations called this cursive script Cao Zhang to distinguish it from the cursive script popular in the Eastern Jin Dynasty. Cao Zhang became popular in the Eastern Han Dynasty. In addition to a large number of unearthed cursive scripts, such as zhuan zhuan brick, ram zhuan brick, Ma Xingjun brick and Cao Shi tomb brick unearthed in Bozhou, Anhui Province, Cao Zhang in the Eastern Han Dynasty was quite popular among the people.

Famous calligraphers in the Han Dynasty are Cao, Du Cao, Wang Cizhong, Cui Yuan, Zhang Zhi, Cai Yong, Shi, Liang Hu. You Shi once wrote "urgent chapter" in official script. Cao was a native of the Eastern Han Dynasty. According to records, he worked in seal script and created the method of hanging needles and dew. Du Cao is famous for his good cursive script. Cui Yuan and Cui Zeng learned his cursive script, and later they were called Cui Du. Cui Yuan is good at cursive script and is the author of cursive script. Zhang Zhi is good at cursive script, and Tang's book "Broken" says that he created this kind of grass and called him "the sage of grass". Wang Cizhong is good at official script, and the end of the book says that it is based on official script. Cai Yong is good at seal script, creating flying white book, and once participated in writing stone classics. Shihao official script. According to records, Liu De created a kind of running script, which was primitive, rich and beautiful and unique at that time. Liang Hu is good at official script, and calligraphy is appreciated by Cao Cao. Some calligraphers in the Han Dynasty are not famous, but they can be found in inscriptions, such as Guo Xiangcha's Huashan tablet, Qiu Jing's The West Chamber, Qiu Fu's Pavilion Ode and Ji Boyun's Wu Ban tablet.