Huang Tingjian and Mi Fei

The study of Song Dynasty, no matter from which aspect, is divided into North and South Song Dynasty. There were many important calligraphers in the Northern Song Dynasty, among which Su Dongpo, Huang Tingjian and Mi Fei were the most representative, which had the greatest influence on later generations. Later generations used to call it "Song Sijia", and another used to call it Cai Jing. Because of its notoriety, Su Huangmi's Cai in Cai Zhong now refers to Cai Xiang who just got together.

Su Dongpo, Huang Tingjian and Mi Fei are different from their predecessors. First of all, they are not politicians, but writers, poets, painters and calligraphers. It goes without saying that it is also called the poetry circle with Huang and Su. Mifei is famous for his calligraphy and painting, but his articles are not bad. Later generations often say that great calligraphers in ancient times were all great literati, and the Song Dynasty was the most representative. China literati painting also originated in the Song Dynasty. So the literati painting began. Li Jianzhong and others were accomplished calligraphers in the early Northern Song Dynasty, but they could not bear the banner of the times because of their lack of solid literary accomplishment.

Regarding the artistic characteristics of Song Sijia, Ma Zonghuo of A Qing Dynasty said in Hua Shu: "Su Sheng is interesting, Huang Sheng is rhyme, Mi Sheng is capital, and Cai Sheng is degree." (the degree here refers to the rigor of the method. ) Only the new changes that are different from the predecessors can represent this era. The new changes in their calligraphy art show and reflect their discussion on innovation, which is exactly the content of our study of calligraphy in Song Dynasty.

The Song Dynasty was a period of change in ancient calligraphy theory. For various reasons, the calligraphy in Song Dynasty can't be compared with that in Tang Dynasty, but it can find another way, and calligraphy is very popular for a while. But also in calligraphy theory. Song advocated that calligraphy creation should not be bound by statutes, and should not be obsessed with specific methods such as stippling and layout, but should pay attention to the charm of works and the inner spiritual temperament of calligraphers and freely express their thoughts. Strive for innovation. It is a reflection of the "Shang Yi" calligraphy style in the Song Dynasty. Zhu's sequel Duane, Su Shi's Lun Shu, Dongpo's inscription and postscript, Huang Tingjian's Lun Shu, Mi Fei's Book History, Hai Yue's Famous Words and Jiang Kui's Lun Shu Pu are all books of this period.