Wang Xizhi was born in Linyi, Langxie, Shandong Province in 303 AD. The Wang family is a local noble family with a scholarly family. His father, Wang Kuang, was a prefect of Huainan, with a large collection of books and a hobby of calligraphy. Influenced by this culture since childhood, Wang Xizhi likes reading and writing very much. At the age of four, he climbed onto the table and asked his father to teach him to practice writing. At the age of seven, his handwriting was very similar.
He pays great attention to his father's writing. On one occasion, he saw his father holding a book in his hand, while writing and enjoying it. He cherished it very much and carefully collected it after reading it. Wang Xizhi wondered, what book is this? Father treasures it so much? One day, while his father was away, he went into his father's study to look for books, and finally found the book and copybook about calligraphy. If he gets the treasure, he not only reads it carefully, but also practices it according to the book. Before long, my father praised Xiao Xizhi's calligraphy for its great progress. Xi Zhi told his father about it. Father was very happy after hearing this; I showed him some books, commented on his calligraphy, and finally encouraged him to say, "There is no trick to practicing calligraphy, there is only one way, work hard and practice more!" " Just practice hard! "
Xiao Xizhi was praised and encouraged; Study and practice harder. At the age of ten, his father invited a famous female calligrapher to be his teacher in order to let him learn different styles and techniques. The teacher's name is Wei Shuo, and he is sixty years old. People call her Mrs. Wei. She is amiable to others, but strict with her students. Mrs Wei asked Wang Xizhi to read the words he practiced writing. As she watched it, she said, "Well, the foundation is good, but don't be complacent. There are still many shortcomings. You must continue to work hard to achieve results. "
Mrs Wei taught Xiao Xizhi patiently. When she found that his writing posture was wrong, she said, "The writing posture is very important. If the posture is right, the writing is right. If the body is awkward, the writing is not correct. " So Mrs Wei corrected Xiao Xizhi's posture. She taught him hand in hand. He also said: "Don't be impetuous when practicing calligraphy, but calm down and draw one stroke at a time. Never be careless. Every stroke should be written in place, horizontal and vertical, and must be straight, not crooked at all. The words written in this way are correct. "
Under the guidance of Mrs. Wei, Wang Xizhi practiced calligraphy meticulously and tirelessly. If he can't write well, he will start over. He seems to be fascinated.
In order to practice calligraphy, most of the time every day, even when eating, walking or chatting with friends, he has to draw on himself with his fingers and try to figure out the structure of calligraphy. Over time, his clothes were cut by his fingers.
After learning calligraphy from Mrs. Wei, Wang Xizhi crossed the river to visit famous mountains and rivers in order to broaden his horizons and increase his knowledge. He saw the calligraphy of Lisi, Cao, Zhong You, Mo Bao of Liang You, Cai Yong's three-body book The Book of Songs, Zhang Chang's Hua Yue Monument, and studied all kinds of calligraphy hard. Wang Xizhi used to practice calligraphy by a pool. Over time, the water in the pool was dyed black by ink. He carefully studied the posture of calligraphy; Innovating and transforming ancient calligraphy, absorbing the strengths of many schools, melting into one furnace, and creating its own unique calligraphy style, it is known as "the sage of calligraphy" in the history of calligraphy in China.
Young Wang Xizhi is famous for his frankness in Honesty and Truth. Wang Fu is a noble family, and even Chi Jian, a teacher, wants to betroth her daughter to the children of the Wangs. One day, he sent a messenger to Wang Xizhi's father to explain the matter. Wang's father immediately said to the guest, "Go to the east wing and pick whatever you want." When the public came to the East Hall, they saw many children from Wang Fu, either studying or dancing. I heard that the teacher sent someone to choose a son-in-law, and they were too reserved to go out. Only one young man lay on his back in bed, showing his stomach, as if nothing had happened. When the janitor went back to report to Master Xi, he didn't expect Master Xi to nod and smile and say, "I want this man who shows his belly in the East Room. He must be no ordinary person. " Later I learned that it was Wang Xizhi. This is the story of the famous "Dongxiang Tanfu", and later "Dongchuang" was synonymous with son-in-law. This shows Wang Xizhi's bohemian character.
Wang Xizhi loved calligraphy all his life and longed for a free and peaceful life with mountains and rivers and white geese.
Wang Xizhi was recommended and recruited many times in his early years because of his outstanding talent and moral character. He is also a descendant of the imperial clan, but he claimed that he "never had the ambition of a gallery and temple." Later, he entered the DPRK and did not value fame and fortune. He often associates with ordinary people and Taoist priests, leaving many anecdotes. He likes geese very much. In Huijili, an old lady who lives alone keeps a goose that can sing very well. Wang Xizhi couldn't buy it in the market, so he went to see it with many relatives and friends. When the old lady heard that Wang Xizhi was coming, she was flattered and killed the goose to entertain Wang Xizhi and his party. Wang Xizhi sighed for many days. Wang Xizhi also copied the Tao Te Ching for a Taoist priest in Yin Shan. After writing it, he was locked in a goose cage and returned home, very proud.
Wang Xizhi cares about the country and regards fame and fortune as a cloud. After he took office, he liked swimming, writing poems and fishing with celebrities and literary friends. He once took meals with Xu Mai, who said that spiritual practice must be separated from relatives and friends. Wang Xizhi said with emotion, "When I was in Sang Yu, I was naturally here. It is because of the writing of silk, bamboo and pottery that I am afraid it has hurt the joy of my generations. " Love for your son is beyond words.
Wang Xizhi died at the age of 59, and the court posthumously awarded him as Dr. Jin Guanglu. But the seven sons obeyed their father's instructions and resolutely refused. Wang Xizhi not only warned his children not to covet fame and fortune, but also taught them to practice calligraphy with his rare kindness to his father. All seven scholars are good at calligraphy, especially Wang Xianzhi, who is known as the "two kings" with his father Wang Xizhi.