When it comes to calligraphy, I can't help but say Wang Xizhi; Speaking of Wang Xizhi, he is almost a household name, and maybe he can tell a few stories about him. This is a unique phenomenon in China calligraphy culture.
Wang Xizhi (303-36 1, 32 1-379), a calligrapher in the Eastern Jin Dynasty, has few words. Originally from Langya (now Linyi, Shandong), I now live in Yinshan Huiji (Shaoxing, Zhejiang). The officers of the right army generals will review the internal history and be called "Wang Youjun". He came from a noble family in the Jin Dynasty. When Wang Xizhi was twelve years old, his father taught him the theory of brushwork. "If you use an outline, you will realize something." When I was a child, I studied calligraphy with the famous female calligrapher Mrs. Wei. Later, he visited the famous mountains in You Jiang, where he learned from foreigners, learned from foreigners, and learned from Zhong You. Observing and learning "how to combine multiple methods to prepare a family" has reached the height of "more expensive than others, the best in ancient and modern times".
Compared with Han Dynasty and Western Jin Dynasty, Wang Xizhi's calligraphy style is characterized by exquisite brushwork and changeable structure. Wang Xizhi's greatest achievement is to increase and destroy the ancient law and turn the simple calligraphy style of Han and Wei dynasties into exquisite and beautiful calligraphy style. In a word, the introduction of Chinese character writing from practicality to the realm of paying attention to techniques and tastes is the awakening of calligraphy art, which indicates that calligraphers not only discover the beauty of calligraphy, but also can show it. Few later calligraphers have not copied Wang Xizhi's calligraphy posts, so they have the reputation of "book saints". His regular script, such as Le Yi Lun, Huang Ting Jing and Dong Fangshuo Hua Zan, was quite famous in the Southern Dynasties, leaving various legends, and some even became painting themes. His cursive script is honored as "the sage of grass" by the world. There is no original trace in the world, and there are many calligraphy books, such as Seventeen Sticks, Le Li Yi in Small Letters, Huang Tingjing and so on. Copy the outline of ink, there is a hole in the middle post, Lanting [Feng Chengsu Copy] sequence, clear post in the snow, diligent funeral post, funeral post, far official post, aunt post, peace post, line post.
Wang Xizhi's calligraphy influenced his descendants. His son is mysterious and good at cursive writing; Coagulation, as a grass official; Emblem, good cursive script; Fuck it, be good at writing; Huanzhi, good cursive script; Sacrifice is called "little sage". Huang's "On the East View and Xu Lun" says: "Wang Sizi's books, Ning, Cao, Hui and Huan, have been handed down from generation to generation, each with its own style but different body. Condense its rhyme, practice its body, emblem its potential, rejuvenate its appearance and offer its source. " Later, descendants continued, and one of Wang's calligraphy was handed down. Wu Zetian tried Wang Xizhi's book, and Wang Fangqing, the ninth great-grandson of Wang Xizhi, presented ten volumes of The Travels of Twenty-eight People to his great-grandfather and compiled Long Live the Tian Tong Post. After Wang Sengqian, Wang Ci and Zhiwang were kings in the Southern Dynasties, regular script was created. Shi Zhiyong, the seventh grandson of Xihe, was a famous calligrapher in Sui and Tang Dynasties.
Wang Xizhi's calligraphy has influenced bookstores from generation to generation. The establishment of Wang Xizhi's calligrapher status has its evolution process. Calligraphers in Taishigong period of Southern Song Dynasty said in the book list: "Han, Wei, Zhong (Yi) and Zhang (Zhi) were good at beauty, and the two kings were called English at the end of Jin Dynasty." The title of the Right Army was unparalleled at that time, and Wang Xianzhi was the highest-ranking person in calligraphy during the Song and Qi Dynasties. Concentrated on learning books from his father, he was very talented and sensitive to innovation. He transferred to Zhang Zhi and created a cursive script that runs from top to bottom. He even surpassed his father and became a saint, and he was called "two kings" with his father. Tao Hongjing in the Southern Dynasties said in On Books that "everyone in the world respects books" and that "the sea is nothing more than Mongolian Yuan and Yu Ye". What changed this situation was Liang Wudi Xiao Yan's admiration for Wang Xizhi. He changed the book degree from "Wang Xianzhi-Wang Xizhi-Zhong You" to "Zhong You-Wang Xizhi-Wang Xianzhi". In Twelve Essays on Zhong You's Calligraphy, Yanyun Jr. said, "I don't respect my son, but I don't care much about my leisure." "unsuccessful" or "not caught" is not as good as meaning. Xiao Yan's position makes his comments particularly attractive, so the public opinion is firm.
The climax of studying Wang Xizhi for the first time in history was in Nanliang, and the second time was in Tang Dynasty. Emperor Taizong highly praised Wang Xizhi, not only widely collecting Wang Shu, but also personally writing praises for the biography of Wang Xizhi in the Book of Jin. When commenting on Zhong You, he said that he was "either full of goodness or suspicious", while at the time of offering, he belittled his "calligraphy disease". As for other calligraphers, such as Ziyun, Wang Meng and Yan Xu, he said that he was "over praised". Comparatively speaking, Emperor Taizong thought that the right army was "perfect" and "eager to pursue, this man is just the rest. What can I say?" Since then, Wang Xizhi's supreme position in the history of calligraphy has been established and consolidated. Literati in Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties all stayed away from the "two kings" of Jin Zong. Ou Yangxun, Yu Shinan, Chu Suiliang, Xue Qi, Yan Zhenqing and Liu Gongquan in the Tang Dynasty, Yang Ningshi in the Five Dynasties, Su Shi, Huang Tingjian, Midi and Cai Xiang in the Song Dynasty, Zhao Mengfu in the Yuan Dynasty and Dong Qichang in the Ming Dynasty all converted to Wang Xizhi. Although the study of steles broke the scope of calligraphy research in Qing Dynasty, Wang Xizhi's position as a calligrapher remained unshakable. Although the "Book Sage" and "Ink Emperor" are suspected of being "sanctified", the famous scholars and masters from generation to generation are convinced and admired through comparison and speculation.
In the history of China's calligraphy, although Wang Xizhi is known as the "sage of calligraphy", he is not regarded as a solidified icon, but only a perfect symbol of the creation of calligraphy in China culture. Things are always developing and progressing. Wang Xizhi reached the pinnacle of perfection in his time, and this "icon" will surely summon the later generations to climb the new height of calligraphy in their respective times.
"Flowing clouds and flowing water, leaping like dragons and tigers" ―― Wang Xizhi, a great calligrapher
"Yonghe nine years, years old in kwai ugly. In the spring, I will repair things in the Lanting of Huiji Mountain. A group of smart people never miss, but some of them are long and salty. There are mountains here, and there are bamboo cultivation in Maolin; There is also a clear water flow and a rushing water flow, which are reflected left and right, thinking it is a water flow. Sitting in the second place, although not as prosperous as the string of silk and bamboo, it is enough to talk about love. " This is the beginning of Preface to Lanting Collection (AD 32 1-379), the masterpiece of Wang Xizhi, a great calligrapher in the Eastern Jin Dynasty. Under what circumstances was this preface written? What does it have to do with Wang Xizhi's calligraphy achievements?
Lan ting xiu Mao
Yonghe in Preface to Lanting Collection was the title of Moody in the Eastern Jin Dynasty. Yonghe nine years, AD 353. Lanting was then in Huiji County, where Huiji County was located in Yin Shan, which is now Shaoxing City, Zhejiang Province. Lanting is located in the suburb of Yin Shan. Lanting area has beautiful mountains and rivers, and it has been the favorite place for literati since ancient times. Although the architecture of Lanting changed later, it is still a major attraction in Shaoxing. Wang Xizhi and other celebrities came here this time on the third day of March in the summer calendar. Why did you choose this day to come here? It turns out that in ancient times, restoration activities were held on this day. "Hugh" is an activity held by ancient people to drive away evil and disease. This activity was chosen by rivers because water can wash away filth, eliminate disasters and prevent diseases. In order to celebrate the elimination of the disaster, people held a banquet by the river. When feasting, let the glass drift in the river until it stops in front of someone, who will drink it all at once and then recite poems to add elegance.
In 353 BC, this activity of Lanting was recorded in history and appreciated by people, mainly because Wang Xizhi wrote an anthology for the people involved. This preface not only describes the scenery from the content, but also expresses his inner contradictions and feelings; More importantly, from the perspective of calligraphy, the preface was written boldly and raised the art of calligraphy to the best level at that time. The full text is 324 words, with clear words. There are 20 characters in the article, each with charm and no similarities. Therefore, this preface is regarded as a treasure by future generations.
Absorption and innovation
Wang Xizhi was a general of the right army in the Eastern Jin Dynasty, and he would review the internal history. He was only 32 years old when he wrote Preface to Lanting Collection. A person just over 30 years old can achieve high attainments in calligraphy, which is inseparable from his diligent study and practice since childhood. Wang Xizhi began to learn calligraphy at the age of six or seven, and his uncle Wang Biao is a contemporary calligrapher. Wang Xizhi's study of calligraphy was deeply influenced by it. Wang Xizhi took Mrs. Wei as his teacher. Mrs. Wei is a famous contemporary calligrapher, and Zhong You, a pioneer in calligraphy, won the regular script font. She once said a famous saying, when writing, "When you write, you must try your best to send it."
Under the guidance of famous artists, Wang Xizhi became fascinated with learning calligraphy. He wrote with a pen all day, but he couldn't walk with it, so he gestured on his skirt with his fingers; When sitting there talking to others, I kept pointing my finger at the clothes, and after a long time, my skirt was punctured. After he became famous, he said in a letter to others: "Zhang Zhi is studying by the pool, and the pool is exhausted, so it may not be the last one." Zhang Zhi was a calligrapher at the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty. He was good at writing cursive script, and was later called "Cao Sheng". Wang Xizhi's words mean that Zhang Zhi uses the ink in the pool to wash the pen. Over time, the pool turned black. If you have Zhang Zhi's fighting spirit, your grades may not be worse than Zhang Zhi's. Wang Xizhi's calligraphy achievement is greater than that of Zhang Zhi, and his efforts will surpass that of Zhang Zhi. However, Wang Xizhi's study of predecessors' calligraphy experience is not entirely imitation and inheritance. He learned from the strengths of various schools and became a whole through his own integration and innovation. Others once commented on Wang Xizhi's font: "It is shameful to analyze Zhang Gong's grass (book) and compromise with crude fiber;" Profit and loss of Zhong Jun (Zhong You), although the use of Zeng Hua, but quaint. "So, studying hard, being good at collecting the strengths of each family and being unique are the main reasons why Wang Xizhi became a book saint.
White goose's book
Wang Xizhi's family was an aristocratic family in the Eastern Jin Dynasty. In this big family, there are several young people the same age as Wang Xizhi. It was Qiu at that time. He wanted to choose a son-in-law for his daughter, so he sent his apprentice to the Wangs for observation. When those young people heard that the Xi family wanted a husband, they really dressed up and pretended to be gentle, which made people feel sick. At that time, in the palace, there was only one young man sitting alone on the east bed, burying his head in food and looking extremely natural. People truthfully reported what they saw to Chi Jian, and Chi Jian said, "This is the right husband for me." . This young man is Wang Xizhi. Later generations used the idiom "choosing a son-in-law in the east bed" or "choosing a son-in-law in the east bed" to describe finding a satisfactory son-in-law. Later, Chi Jian's daughter Xi Zhuo married Wang Xizhi. Yun's calligraphy level is also very high. Some notebooks signed by Wang Xizhi are actually the ghostwriters of Yun.
When Wang Xizhi was young, his calligraphy level was not as good as that of a famous painter at that time, but in his later years, people gave him a different evaluation. Yu Yi once wrote to Wang Xizhi and said, "At the beginning, I kept the 65,438+00 cursive script written by Zhang Zhi, which I think is the best work I have ever seen. But I lost it when I crossed the south of the Yangtze River at the end of the Western Jin Dynasty, and I feel sorry that I will never see the masterpiece again. I happened to see your letter to my brother the other day. Your calligraphy has reached a superb level, which makes me seem to see the best works again. " It can be seen that it is never too old to learn, and Wang Xizhi's calligraphy art level has reached the point of perfection.
When Wang Xizhi was alive, his works had been treasured. People say that his calligraphy is "floating like a cloud and agile like a dragon." A Taoist priest in Shanyin County learned that Wang Xizhi had a special hobby for geese, so he specially raised a small flock of geese. Wang Xizhi saw the goose through the Taoist temple and liked it very much. He wanted to buy it back. The Taoist said, "As long as you copy me a copy of the Taoist scriptures, I will give them to you." Wang Xizhi was very happy when he finished writing. He went home in a cage and was very happy. There is an old woman selling bamboo fans, selling them in the street. When Wang Xizhi passed by, he wrote a few words on each bamboo fan and said to the old woman, "Just say that this fan was written by Wang Youjun, and each one costs 100 yuan." Sure enough, passers-by rushed to buy, and soon the fans sold out.
Wang Xizhi's sons all studied calligraphy, among which Wang Xianzhi made the greatest achievement. When Wang Xianzhi was seven or eight years old, once he was practicing calligraphy, Wang Hu Cao stood behind him and suddenly took out his pen from behind, but he didn't pull it out, which shows Wang Xianzhi's hard work and concentration. Later generations called him and Wang Xizhi "two kings".