The Four Calligraphers of the Song Dynasty, namely Su Shi, Huang Tingjian, Mi Fu and Cai Xiang of the Song Dynasty, are considered by later generations to be the calligraphers who best represent the achievements of calligraphy in the Song Dynasty. A brief introduction to the Four Characters of the Song Dynasty
Su Shi, courtesy name Zizhan, also known as Dongpo Jushi, was a native of Meishan, Sichuan. A famous writer, calligrapher and painter in the Northern Song Dynasty. Poetry belongs to the bold and unrestrained school, which is one of the four great schools of poetry in the Song Dynasty.
It is also one of the eight great schools of poetry in the Tang and Song Dynasties.
Su Shi was upright, broad-minded and talented. In addition to poetry and prose, he was also good at calligraphy and painting. His calligraphy was inspired by the "two kings" (Wang Xizhi, Wang Xianzhi), Yan Zhenqing, Liu Gongquan, Chu Suiliang, Xu Hao, Li Beihai, and Yang Ningshi each absorbed nutrients and worked hard to innovate on the basis of inheriting tradition. When he talked about his calligraphy creation process, he said: "The method of writing calligraphy requires shallow knowledge and narrow learning. In the end, the three cannot be perfect. I can achieve it with my mind, my eyes and my hands." He also said: "I can't create the original meaning of calligraphy. "The dot painting is written by Xin Shu." He focused on writing "meaning" and expressed his feelings in the dot paintings written by "Xin Shu". Su Shi's calligraphy seems plain and simple, but there is a vast atmosphere, just like his profound knowledge, the dragon's changes are unpredictable.
He is good at running script and regular script.
The writing style is rich in flesh and bone.
The ups and downs are natural.
It gives people the impression of "sea breeze" The artistic beauty of "the spirit" and "the shape of ancient rocks".
Su Shi’s calligraphy was highly praised by later generations. Huang Tingjian said in "Valley Collection": "His writing is charming... When he is drunk and dissolute, he forgets about his craftsmanship, and his handwriting is particularly thin and vigorous... As for his writing style, which is round and rhyming, he can use his articles to make the world wonderful, and his loyalty runs through the sun and the moon. "Zi Qi, the best book in this dynasty, I should recommend (Su) as the first." Dong Qichang of the Ming Dynasty praised him highly for "using the full front, which is the Orchid Pavilion of Po Gong".
The handed down writings include "Qian Chibi Ode", "Huangzhou Cold Food Poems", "Dongting Spring Scenery Ode", "Zhongshan Pine Mash Ode", etc.
Huang Tingjian (1045～1105 ), with the courtesy name Luzhi, and his nickname Taoist in the Valley. Later generations called him Huangshangu, later known as Fu Weng. He was a native of Fenning, Hongzhou (now Xiushui, Jiangxi). Poet and calligrapher of the Northern Song Dynasty.
The "History of Song Dynasty·Biography of Wenyuan" said of him: "Ting Jian's knowledge and articles are innate. Chen Shidao said that his poems were inspired by Du Fu, he was good at cursive script, and his regular script was also of his own. Together with Zhang Lei, Chao Buzhi, Qin Guan visited Su Shi's family and was known as the Four Scholars in the world. He himself said: "I studied cursive calligraphy for more than thirty years. At the beginning, I took Zhou Yue as my teacher, so I kept my vulgarity in mind for twenty years. Later I became Su Caiweng. Looking at the beautiful calligraphy, we can get a glimpse of the penmanship of the ancients. Later, we can get a glimpse of the beauty of calligraphy by Zhang Xu, Huai Su and Gao Xian."
His famous calligraphy includes "Songfeng Pavilion Poetry". , "Huangzhou Cold Food Poetry Postscript", "Hua Qi Xun Ren Tie", "Hongxian Poems", "Mainzhu Ming", etc.
Mi Fu (1051～1107) Mi Fu, whose courtesy name was Yuanzhang, was also named Xiangyang Manshi, Haiyue Waishi, and Lumen Jushi. His ancestral home is Taiyuan, Shanxi, and he later settled in Zhenjiang, Jiangsu.
Mi Fu's handed down ink writings mainly include "Tiaoxi Poetry Volume", "Shu Su Tie", "Fangyuan An Ji", "Tianma Fu", etc., and there are especially many short pieces of Hanzha. Mi Fu is good at ink landscapes, and is known as "Mi's Cloud Mountain", but Mi Fu's paintings do not exist in the world
Cai Xiang (1012~1067) Cai Xiang, courtesy name Junmo, Xinghua (now Xian, Fujian) Tourist) people. Jinshi in 1030 (the eighth year of Tiansheng), and served in the Central Government of the Song Dynasty as a Collector, Zhijianyuan, Zhishiguan, Zhizhigao, Longtuge Zhibao, Privy Council Zhibao, Hanlin Baoshi, Third Secretary, and Duan. He held the title of bachelor of Ming Palace and other positions, and served as the transshipment envoy of Fujian Road (now Fuzhou City, Fujian Province), knowing the affairs of Quanzhou, Fuzhou, Kaifeng (now Kaifeng City, Henan Province) and Hangzhou. After his death, he was given the posthumous title of "Zhonghui" by the Minister of Rites.
Cai Xiang's ink writings handed down from generation to generation include "Poems Written by Himself", "Poems Written by Xie Ci", "Tao Sheng Tie", "Jiao Burnt Tie" and "Meng Hui Tie". "Anqiao Ji", "Zijintang Ji" and Gushan Lingyuan Cave regular script "Wanggui Stone", "Guoshiyan" and other treasures