Born in the family of "book saints"
Wang Xianzhi (344-386), born in Linyi, Eastern Jin Dynasty (now Linyi, Shandong Province), was an official slave in fine print. He is the seventh son of Wang Xizhi. He has a long history as a state principal book and secretary. Successive Jianwu generals, Xing Wu satrap, and worship in the secretariat, known as the "big order". Known as a "little saint" in the history of calligraphy, he is also called "two kings" with his father.
Wang Xizhi taught him calligraphy since he was a child. It is said that Xi Zhi once drew a pen from behind to test his pen power, and sighed, "This son is going to be famous again!" " It can be seen that Wang Xizhi had high hopes for him very early. Wang Xizhi's Theory of Stroke says, "Tell your son to respect you, and I find your writing is extraordinary, but you are still not idle", "I will tell you a theory of stroke today, which will enlighten you" and "I will hide". Not only in technique, but also in the infiltration of interest into calligraphy. According to legend, he once went out and saw the newly painted white wall of Beige clean, so he dipped a broom in the mud and wrote the words the size of the abbot, which blocked the audience. Xi lamented the beauty of his point of view and asked who put it forward. Everyone replied, "air billow."
Wang Xianzhi's calligraphy thought is superb and far-sighted. He advised his father to change his health, but he was fifteen or sixteen years old. His profound knowledge of calligraphy seems out of proportion to his age, but it is true. In the Tang Dynasty, Zhang Huaiguan recorded Wang Xianzhi's "To the Father Cloud" in the Book Theory: "The ancient Zhangcao was not broad and free, but it was different from the real body. Today, poverty is false and simple, and the grass is extremely drooping. If you don't cross the line, you must change your body. " It is believed that things are rare, flexible and changeable, and Cao Zhang's ci is independent and makes waves, which can't show greater momentum and escape rhythm. After in-depth study, he thought that he could find a way to break through "getting rid of the law" between cursive script and running script, and suggested that his father "transform his body". Wang Xianzhi's profound study of traditional calligraphy style and his earnest exploration of innovative methods are really remarkable.
The innovative variant of calligraphy is the soul that leads and guides the descendants of this book sage. He wants to break through the tradition of going to France and open up a new world. He also wants to surpass his father and shine on you. shine on you is better than blue, thus opening up a new school. Yu ()' s On the Book Case says:' Xie An asks:' How is your book like the right army (referring to Wang Xizhi)? Answer:' So, we want to win. An yun:' The theory of things is different. Amethyst replied, "The whole world knows. "Wang Xianzhi is not a nobody, his self-evaluation is not nonsense. Sun's Book Score contains the topic of a trip to Kyoto. I sacrificed to secretly erase it, and wrote another one, which I thought was very good. When I came home, I saw it and sighed, "I was really drunk when I went. "I feel embarrassed to offer it. This rumor shows that although he is willing to compete with his father, he is also self-aware. Committed to learning from his father's book and transferring to Zhang Zhi, he not only advised his father to "transform his body", but also practiced another innovative method himself.
Zhang Huaiguan's "On Calligraphy" once commented on Wang Xianzhi's calligraphy creation: "Zi Cai Jing was far-sighted, and opened another door besides cursive writing. ..... amethyst method, grass is not a line, it is convenient to flow grass, business is online, and grass is in the middle. ....................... .......................................................................................................................................................... It's a pity that he died at the age of 43, otherwise his achievements in calligraphy would be even more impressive. Nevertheless, he integrated his talent, unique mental outlook, thoughts and feelings into his calligraphy works, leaving an immortal reputation in the calligraphy world.
Wang Xianzhi is chic and detached from worldly etiquette. "Romance is the crown of the moment". Broken Book once said: Taiji Hall was newly built in Taikang of Jin Dynasty. Xie An wants to list Amethyst on the list, thinking it is a treasure on earth, but it's hard to say whether Zhong Wei can write Lingyuntai. Amethyst knew what he meant, but he said seriously, "Captain, Minister Wei, would you rather have this? If so, we will know that Wade will not grow up. " Xie An is no longer reluctant. Sometimes people ask him for books, but they rarely get them; Even if powerful people force him, he will not be moved.
The Calligraphy Art of Shen Han's Correction
Wang Xianzhi's ink is rarely preserved, so we can only see his calligraphy skills in rubbings. There are nearly 90 kinds of Wang Xizhi's posthumous works recorded in Xuanhe Pu Shu, and there are 243 kinds of Wang Xizhi's calligraphy books in Xuanhe Neifu. It can be seen that there are far fewer works handed down from generation to generation than his father. Moreover, the "two kings" ink has a dispute of authenticity. Modern Shen once said: "The ink left is not as good as Xihe. All I saw was the copy of "Send Pear Post" and "Duck Head Pill Post". In addition, if "Mid-Autumn Festival stickers" and "Dongshan stickers", it is rice. The ink of Rehmannia Tangtie handed down from generation to generation is also imitated by later generations, which is quite a tribute, but if it is not beautiful, it must not be the original of Daguan Sticker. ..................................................................................................................................................................................
Comparison of Calligraphy Art between "Two Kings" Father and Son
Comparing the calligraphy art of Wang Xizhi and Wang Xianzhi, there are different opinions in the history of calligraphy. Here is a brief introduction.
First, "internal (stuffy)" and "external expansion". The technical characteristics of the "two kings" are often marked by "inside" and "outside". For example, He Liang Jun's "Four Friends Zhai Shu Lun" in the Ming Dynasty said: "The big order is expanded with a pen, so it is scattered and colorful"; "The right army used the pen' inside (boring)' to gather, and it was radiant, just strange and complicated." Modern Shen also said: it is very reasonable for later generations to distinguish the writings of the "two kings" by internal (annoying) external extension. The king is "annoyed" and Xiao Wang is "expanded". Try reading the book of the king, vigorous and straight, beautiful and quiet; Xiao Wang's book is only soft, but it has actually increased. Explain the meaning of "inside" and "outside" in an intuitive way. "Inside" is the book of strength, "outside" is the book of strength, and the book "Straight down" by You Jun means "painting sand like a cone". The visualization of "expansion" can be described as "leakage mark", with more indulgence and less convergence (see "A restricted view of the two kings' dharma books"). Although the use of "inside" and "outside" can explain many differences in the calligraphy of "Two Kings", it can't cover all aspects, and careful investigation may not be very scientific. A king can "hate" or "expand", with "hate" as the main factor and "expand" as the auxiliary factor, and Wang Neng Jr. can "hate" or "expand" as the main factor. Pan Boying said: "Some people say that Xi has both" inside "and" outside ". This is only half said at most. " (On China's Calligraphy) This sentence is quite insightful.
Second, the identification of technology sources. In Yi Yi written by Bao in Qing Dynasty, he once stated his views and criticized Mi Fei's views: "On the true grass calligraphy of the right army, it is divided into Chinese and goes deep into the corps commander (referring to Cai Yong); Daling's calligraphy of true grass is the source of Qin Zhuan, and it is wonderful to meet the Prime Minister (referring to Reese). ..... What Mi Lao said was' the right army contained and the big order extended', which was counterproductive. " Modern Hou Jingchang thinks that Bao thinks that Wang's pen originated from Li and Xiao Wang's pen originated from seal script, which is debatable. Hou Shi summed up the characteristics and origins of Zhong You, Wang Xizhi and three original works in one sentence: Zhong Shan turned over, Wang Shan sang and Xiao Wang Shan zhi; Digging out in the sub-book, Song came from seal script, directly from official script (on the authenticity of Zhong Wang's True Books and Preface to Lanting). Wang's and his son's calligraphy seems to have two main sources, the distant source is Qin and Han seal script, and the near source is Zhong and Zhang, and then they are cultivated and developed into their own style.
Third, the difference between cursive script and cotton. Wang Xizhi learned Zhang Zhi's cursive script, which broke through the division, isolation and connection of Cao Zhang from the situation, but generally he did not make multi-word couplets, and only printed two or three words at a time. He took advantage of Cao Zhang's turn and developed into an introverted and accumulated modern grass. Wang Xianzhi not only learned from his father, but also learned from Zhang Zhi, which broke through the pattern of Wang Xizhi's connection and became a "book" with more words; From introversion to extravagance, from accumulation to escape. The so-called "one book" refers to "the style of writing, which is formed in one stroke, occasionally intermittent and continuous, occasionally connected, and the climate is staggered. Only the son respects his profound thoughts, so the words at the beginning of the line often follow the end of the line "(see broken books). The word "One Book" originated from Zhang Zhi, and Wang Xianzhi used Zhang Zhi as a lever and Xi cursive script as a fulcrum to complete a kind of "broken body" creation.
Fourth, the differentiation of bone potential. Yang Xin said, "A good servant is not as good as a father." Zhang Huaiguan's Broken Book said: "I regret that it is still rich in youth and autumn. It is unrestrained, its bones are not complete, and sometimes it is trivial." Wang Xianzhi is mainly expanding and fleeing, so sometimes he fails to be calm and happy in the rapid cycle, but he is suspected of being light and slippery; And Wang Xizhi has a strong personality, so he has a strong personality. Of course, this is a high-level comparison. Didn't Wang Xianzhi dive heavily? For example, in the Thirteen Lines of Luo Shen Fu, Zhang Tingji in Qing Dynasty said in the inscription of Qingyi Pavilion: "The wind is thick, wonderful and moving"; "However, the wind is shaking, the spirit is strong, and there is no beauty." Of course, Wang Xianzhi died in middle age. If he can exercise for many years, his bone potential will be better.
Fifth, the distinction between charm and interest. Wang Sengqian once said: "Dedication is far less than father's, but there are too many charms." Yang Xin said the same thing. Wang Xianzhi's book style is like a phoenix dancing and flying, with the beauty of returning hooks, the joy of flying, and the flying ink as an escape soul. In Zhang Huaiguan's Commentary Book, it is said that his brushwork is one of the most romantic "if the rain is scattered, the things are moistened silently". At the same time, it also points out that Wang Xianzhi "sometimes loses, no matter what its defects are". In fact, Wang Xizhi's books are also charming, so they are criticized. There is a saying in Han Yu's "Song of the Stone Drum" that "Wang Xizhi's ripe body is beautiful". Zhang Huaiguan also said that he was "a talented girl, but not a husband". The charm of Jin people's calligraphy is related to the fashion of the times. This charm is a male charm, not a gentle charm. The charm of dedication is more attractive than his father in terms of flow and sudden release.
Sixth, the distinction between artistic philosophy and thinking. Wang Xizhi's calligraphy philosophy is mainly manifested in the neutralization, harmony and unity among various opposing factors. He can do anything in the form and quality of calligraphy (such as fat, thin, Fiona Fang, short, long, flesh and blood and so on). ), and he is not naughty in the expression of calligraphy (such as strangeness, tolerance, rhyme, interest, etc.). Xiang Mu's elegant words in calligraphy say: "If you escape a little, you can be polite, strictly abide by the law, you can be talented, and you can be as strange as you." Just like breaking through his father's cursive pattern, Wang Xianzhi also consciously changed his father's creative thinking. He turned "neutralization" into "imbalance" and went to a new realm of winning by "strangeness" and "danger". Xiang Mu also believes that "books are a respect for children, and the door to novelty is open."
Seven, the style of the book. Let's talk about Cao Zhang first. Wang Xianzhi inherited his father's legalist thoughts, and his Cao Zhang style can be seen from the article on July 2nd. The brushwork of this post is simple, but the pitch and jump, the size is patchy, and it also shows a free and informal personality. In addition to regular script, Yu () in the Southern Song Dynasty said in "On the Book Table": "The first generation learns the father's book, and the shape is different." Zhang Huaiguan's "Book End" said that Wang Xizhi wrote "Le Yi Lun", which was enshrined as "learning to be excellent and being an official, being able to write a very small book, can be described as poor and similar in physique, without reducing his father. If it is big, it is particularly straightforward. How can it be the same year? " Moreover, Wang Xizhi's running script is deeply harmonious, and he must learn from the past and create new achievements. Preface to Lanting is known as "the best running script in the world". Wang Xizhi's conscious exploration and legislation set an example for future generations. Although Wang Xianzhi also made great contributions to running script, his running script failed to get out of his father's norms, and it was not as concise, elegant and brilliant as his father. In cursive script, father and son have their own characteristics, and the unique meaning of Xi is unique. After understanding this way, a new cursive system was established, but the son is better than the father in "One Book". Wu Dexuan commented: "The big order is crazy, and the right army's law is changed to create its own portal. It is extravagant and cannot be dominated." I said Daling cursive script, although vigorous and unrestrained, but still do not lose Qingyuan charm. "(See" Loushu Theory at the Beginning of the Month ") Huang Tingjian compares it in" The Monument to the Valley Postscript ":"It is a great achievement to make the grass method extremely force Britain and hate the former less. So in the middle of the book, the right army grass enters the energy product, and the big order grass enters the spiritual product. I tried to compare the cursive scripts of the right army father and son. The right army is like the left, and the big order is like Zhuang Zhou. "Of course, there are unfair comments. For example, Emperor Taizong worshipped Wang Xizhi and belittled Wang Xianzhi. His biography of Wang Xizhi said: "Although it is paternal, it is not a new coincidence. Look at its character, thin, like a dead tree in the middle of winter; Look at the trace of his pen. Is Yan's family hungry? Its dead trees are also, although there is no flexion and extension; If he is hungry, he will be restrained from indulgence. Both of them, Gu Hanmo's illness is Qin's! "Tang Taizong's comments are completely inclined to Wang Xizhi's side, and even mutually assured destruction with the original preface to Lanting.
The Independent Value of Wang Xianzhi's Calligraphy
Historically, it is often called "two kings", and Xiao Wang is often summarized by Wang, but Wang Xianzhi's calligraphy has its own independent value.
After Wang Xizhi arrived in Huiji, the artistic achievement of calligraphy reached its peak. However, the criticism is that most of the essays were written by ghostwriters after the oath tomb was not official. After Wang Xizhi's death, it took about a century and a half to reach the early years of the Southern Liang Dynasty. During this period, Wang Xianzhi's books were very popular because of their charm and elegance. During this period, famous teachers grew up as heavenly kings, such as Huan Xuan, Song Wendi Liu Yilong and Yang Xin. Yang Xin, in particular, is known as "the man who enters this room alone, this man is also", so people say that "he who buys the king's sheep will never give up". There are also Bao Shaozhi, Xie Lingyun, Kong Lin, Qiu Daohu,,, Xiao, etc. , have their own interests. This is one of the reasons for Wang Xianzhi's growing reputation. After Wang Xianzhi, Yang Xin taught his disciples calligraphy skills, which made his contribution more influential.
So, why did Emperor Taizong belittle Wang Xianzhi? Some scholars believe that in the early Tang Dynasty, Li Shimin had to learn books from Wang Xianzhi, because Wang Xianzhi's calligraphy was easier to obtain than his father's. Later, Li Shimin saw Wang Xizhi's ink. Li Shimin may not be satisfied with living under the rule of Wang Xianzhi, so he carried his father out. Because Li Shimin praised Wang and demoted Xiao Wang, people were frightened by the emperor's will, so they erased the name of the relic with Wang Xianzhi's signature, or changed it to the names of Yang Xin, Bo Shaozhi and others. However, in the Tang Dynasty, many people still learned from Xiao Wang, especially "all people in the Tang Dynasty learned from Da Ling in cursive script" (Wu Dexuan's language). Ou Yangxun's truth and behavior will learn from King and Xiao Wang, and they will not be integrated. Shen Yi, a close friend, said, "Those who have a high rate (refer to it) will change according to the actual order." Yu Shinan and other calligraphers also learned from Wang Xianzhi. Zhang Huaiguan said, "Yu Shu got the big rules of the big order, which contained the positive colors of the five parties and showed his brilliance and wisdom. Wang Shaozong is far-sighted, a lesson from the past, and respected by his ancestors. Sun Guoting, there is an article that the cursive charter is two kings. " People in the Tang Dynasty attached great importance to Wang Xianzhi's cursive script, especially Weeds. Zhang Xu's cursive script was transformed from Wang Xianzhi. Tang Cai -xi summed up the cloud in the Book of Dharma: Cao Zhang's "heroism is the sky", and "critics think that Zhang Gong is also a little king". Huai Su also converted to Xiao Wang, and his Notre Dame is "light and easy to turn, going deep into Wang Shanzhai several times, but drawing its red flag" (see Graphite Essence). Therefore, although Li Shimin belittled Xiao Wang, many people still learn from Wang Xianzhi in the Tang Dynasty.
In the late Five Dynasties, Yang Ningshi also studied the two kings, and made outstanding achievements by studying and worshipping them. Shen said: "With the change of grass potential, the nature of grass is contraction, vertical spread, big order incarnation, arrogance, contraction and atrophy, in order to collect and release economically. Zhang, Su, and Yang are all out. " ("Ri Hai Lou Za Cong")
Mi Fei, one of the four great calligraphers in the Song Dynasty, said: "Amethyst is naive and detached, and her father is comparable!" "Big orders are posted in December, and the pen is like fire, even unprovoked. If you don't care, the so-called' one book' is the first post in the world. " Mi Fei obeyed Wang Xianzhi, and he liked to pursue this "naive and transcendental" interest. Secret books are closely related to Xiao Wang's books. Another calligrapher, Cai Xiang, also said, "In the early Tang Dynasty, the handwriting of the two kings was still abundant. Scholars at that time had to imitate them, but they rarely exist today. However, Yiou (), Yu (Heather), Chu (Sui Liang) and Liu (Gong Quan) are all famous books with words written by the Wangs and their sons. Those who learn big orders are more indulgent, and Xi's pen is wonderful. " Cai Xiang pursues Jinyun, and his charm and research are similar to those of Xiao Wang. Huang Tingjian also praised "a great product", and Huang Shu "the pen is round and old, and the knot is tight, and it is offered by the princes" (in). In other words, Su Shi's calligraphy features are different from those of the "two kings", but they also have similarities. Jiang Kui also spoke highly of Xiao Wang. He once said: "Luo Shenfu is cursive except in small letters. The nanny's brick ambition is correct, and her brushwork is vigorous and correct. Combining with Lanting and Yue Yi's theory, I hope the two kings can learn from it. Don't believe this. "
Zhao Mengfu in the Yuan Dynasty, Zhu Yunming in the Ming Dynasty, Wen Zhiming, Dong Qichang, Wang Duo in the Qing Dynasty, etc. have made outstanding achievements in learning Xiao Wang's calligraphy since the Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties. There are many examples, so I won't list them one by one.
In a word, Wang Xianzhi's calligraphy has a far-reaching influence on later generations and has its own independent value. Being called "two kings" has also become a proper noun in the history of books. "The sum of father and son is unique in ancient and modern times." No wonder people call Wang Xizhi a "book saint" and Wang Xianzhi a "little saint".