Yang Ningshi
Yang Ningshi (873-954), courtesy name Jingdu and pseudonym Xubai, was born in Huayin, Huazhou (now Huayin, Shaanxi). The son of Yang She, a prime minister, calligrapher and servant during the late Tang and Five Dynasties periods.
In the reign of Emperor Zhaozong of the Tang Dynasty, he was a Jinshi and an official secretary. He served as an official in the Later Liang, Tang, Jin, Han, and Five dynasties. In the first year of Emperor Shizong's Xiande (954) of the Later Zhou Dynasty, Yang Ningshi passed away at the age of eighty-two and was given posthumously to the Crown Prince and Tutor.
Yang Ningshi has always been regarded as an important figure in the history of calligraphy from the Tang Dynasty to the Song Dynasty. The "Four Families of Song Dynasty" were all deeply influenced by it. His representative works include "Leek Flower Tie", "Pictures and Postscripts of the Ten Chronicles of Lu Hong Thatched Cottage" and "The Living Method of Immortals".
Chinese name: Yang Ningshi
Alias: Yang Jingdu, Yang Xubai, Yang Taishi
Nationality: Five Dynasties
Ethnicity: Han< /p>
Birthplace: Huayin, Huazhou (now Huayin, Shaanxi)
Date of birth: 873
Date of death: 954
Occupation: Prime Minister, calligrapher
Representative works: "Leek Flower Tie", "Ten Chronicles of Lu Hongcaotang" and "The Living Method of Immortals"
Official position: Prince Taibao
Posthumous gift: Prince Taifu
Character profile
Yang Ningshi, courtesy name Jingdu, nickname Xubai, was from Huayin, Huazhou. He was born in the 14th year of Xiantong reign of Yizong of Tang Dynasty and died in the first year of Xiande reign of Emperor Shizong of Zhou Dynasty. He was eighty-two years old. (The Old History of the Five Dynasties was eighty-five years old; the chronicle of famous people in all dynasties died in the second year of Xiande at the age of eighty-three. From then on, he supplemented the records of doubtful years and consulted the Chronicles of Officials and Officials). It is rich in literature and art, and is very popular. Recommended by his generation, he was promoted to Jinshi during the reign of Emperor Zhaozong of the Tang Dynasty. In Liang Dynasty, he was an examiner Wai Lang. At the beginning of Tang Dynasty, Tongguang was awarded the title of doctor of Bibu, and he knew how to make imperial edicts. During the Jin Dynasty, he became an official as a minister of the Ministry of Rites and lived idlely in Yiluo. He indulged in his arrogance and resisted many disobediences. People are more talented than others, so no one should blame them. During the Han Dynasty, Li Shao passed on to Shao Shi. At the beginning of Zhou Xiande, he was the crown prince's Taibao. He died in Luoyang and was given to the Prince Taifu. Ningshi is good at singing and poetry, and is good at writing and writing. On the blue wall and pink wall of Luochuan Temple, the inscription is almost off. At that time, people used it to express their creativity, and they were known as Fengzi.
His calligraphy first learned from Ouyang Xun and Yan Zhenqing, and later from Wang Xizhi and Wang Xianzhi. He changed the Tang Dynasty style and used brushwork boldly and elegantly. Whether it's white or solid, it's all refreshing. His representative works include "Leek Flower Tie", "Lu Hongcaotang Ten Chronicles Pictures and Postscripts", "The Living Method of Immortals" and "Xiare Tie", etc.
"Leek Flower Tie" is his masterpiece that has been handed down to the world. It is a letter written in running script. The content is about waking up from a nap, and someone happened to give a leek flower as a gift, which was very delicious, so he wrote it to express his gratitude. The font of this post is somewhere between running script and regular script. It is white and smooth, elegant and free, which is very similar to the writing style of Wang Xizhi's "Preface to the Lanting Collection". The "Illustrations and Postscripts of the Ten Chronicles of Lu Hong Thatched Cottage" deeply captures the essence of Yan Zhenqing's "Manuscript of Sacrifice to Nephew". It is well-proportioned and full of momentum, with a simple, majestic and majestic atmosphere. The wild drafts of "Fairy's Daily Life" and "Xia Re Tie" are even more unbridled, varied, messy, and the lines are twisted and uneasy, and a sense of depression about the unfair current situation emerges on the paper. "The Living Method of Immortals" is written in cursive script, with some running script sometimes inserted into it. Later generations called it "Sleet".
Yang Ningshi has always been regarded as an important figure in the history of calligraphy from the Tang Dynasty to the Song Dynasty. The "Four Schools of Song Dynasty" (i.e. Su Shi, Huang Tingjian, Mi Fu and Cai Xiang) were all deeply influenced by it.
Achievements in calligraphy
The era when Yang Ningshi lived was the period when the Tang Dynasty was dying and was followed by the wars of the Five Dynasties. This talented man is bound to become a eccentric, and even resort to the appearance of a lunatic to avoid disaster, and the art of calligraphy, which he uses to soothe his soul, will naturally lose its dignity. His running script that expresses his spiritual personality can also be said to be the imprint left on his spirit by the era of decline and chaos he encountered.
The great masters Ouyang Xun and Yan Zhenqing indulged it.
Many of Yang Ningshi’s wall paintings can still be seen until the Northern Song Dynasty. Huang Tingjian once said: "I In the capital, when I look at Master Yang’s calligraphy on the walls of the monks, all of them are wonderful and fascinating.” (Volume 8 of Ma Zonghuo’s "Shu Lin Zao Jian") Unfortunately, the building cannot be preserved forever, and these wonderful calligraphy works of his have faded with time. Gone by and disappeared. As for the preserved ink on paper, there are only four kinds of cursive script "Leek Hua Tie", running script "Lu Hong Caotang Ten Chronicles Illustrated Postscript", cursive script "Xia Re Tie" and cursive script "The Living Method of Immortals" and engraved calligraphy "Xinbu". "Function words" and several other types. Judging from these works, there are regular script, running script, and cursive script, and the styles vary.
This change, on the one hand, shows his artistic ability, and on the other hand, it is also a natural outflow of his crazy character. The contents of these posts are either about fitness and health, or about romance, or about gods and Taoist priests. None of them are solemn and solemn. Why is this so? The world is in turmoil, and the current affairs of the world are unspeakable and not worth worrying about. Therefore, he can only seek fun in the world outside the secular world.
The calligraphy art known as Yang Ningshi built a bridge between the peaks of calligraphy art in the Tang and Song dynasties. As far as the development of calligraphy art is concerned, there is the Song Dynasty. As for those who followed Yang Ning's style, it can be said that there is no shortage of people in every generation, but there are only a few who can grasp its essence.
Character evaluation
Xue Juzheng's "History of the Old Five Dynasties": He is good at writing and writing.
External biography of Tang poetry: Ning style handwriting is free and unrestrained, learned from Ouyang Xun and Yan Zhenqing, and added indulgence.
Li Xitai: Withered fir trees are falling, cypress trees are frosty, pine trees are smokey, musk deer coals are cloudy, rainy and cold. I was also born with a bibliophile, and I would read every time I went to the temple.
Yin Zhu: Yang Gong has a lot of ink, and those who comment on the calligraphy use his pen as a galloping, self-motivated, and achieve what he wants.
Su Song: Many people in the Tang Dynasty were good at calligraphy, and they often did their best in regular script and cursive writing. During the Five Dynasties, the fonts declined, and only Yang Gongning's style of calligraphy was mastered.
Wang Qinruo: Condensed ink on a piece of paper, the painting is strange and ancient, the brushwork is flying, it is a beauty between heaven and earth. The character Gong is the same as Yan Gong, and they are both called Jue. However, Gong did not like to make rulers and tablets, so it is rare for future generations to see them, which is a treasure.
Mi Fu: ① Yang Ning's style is like the wind and slanting rain, falling paper clouds and smoke, dripping and refreshing. ("Haiyue Book Review") ② Ningshi's calligraphy is naive and unrefined, and his indulgence is like Yan Lugong's fight for seats. ("History of Books")
Su Shi: ① Since the death of the Yanliu family, his writing skills have declined. In addition to the chaos of the late Tang Dynasty, characters have withered, and literary talent has been wiped out. Du Yang Gong Ningshi has an outstanding handwriting, more than that of the two kings Yan Liu. He can truly be called a hero of calligraphy and will not be forgotten by the times. ② Ning style calligraphy is quite similar to Yan Xing.
Huang Tingjian: ① I went to Luoshi in the evening and looked at Yang Shaoshuai's calligraphy on the monk's wall. All of them are subtle and wonderful. They should be regarded as the two most outstanding paintings in Luoyang together with Wu Sheng's paintings. ②After seeing the letter from Duke Yan Lu, I learned that Ou Yu and Xue Mi had entered the room of Youjun. I saw the letter from Master Yang, and then I learned that Xu Chen had a dusty air. ③Since the Jin Dynasty, it is rare that there is no dust and dust like the two kings. However, Yan Lugong and Yang Shaoshi are like the great order. Today, people follow the custom of Lu Gong and respect him. The Shaoshi writes that he is good but not in his heart. I want to know the Yang family deeply. The book should be like the horse of Gao from the nine directions, and the black and yellow male and female are left behind to get it. ④Condensation style is like a monk entering the holy realm. ⑤Everyone in the world has learned about Orchid Pavilion Noodles, and they want to exchange for mortal bones without golden elixir. Unexpectedly, Yang Fengzi of Luoyang went to Wusilan as soon as he started writing.
Cai Qi: Yang Fengzi's calligraphy is superb and outstanding in the Five Dynasties. He can follow the path of Yan Liu. His works can be seen in many monks and temples in Luozhong. He wrote a poem about Huayan Academy and his writing style is particularly unrestrained and elegant.
"Shao's Hearing and Seeing Record": The condensation style comes from Yanliu into the two kings, and the regular script is exquisite.
Huang Bosi: Luo people like Yang Shaoshi’s calligraphy and trust Fu Bao, but since the middle Tang Dynasty, Han and Jin calligraphy has not been passed down. As the ancestors of Ningshi's generation reported, it is not far away. The calligraphy of Kuaiji's father and son seems to be inferior to this. The Luo people obtained Yang's authentic works and praised them for their rare treasures. They said that his sincerity made people's ears.
"Xuanhe Shupu": Ningshi likes to write calligraphy, and is particularly good at cursive writing. His handwriting is strong and powerful, comparable to Yan Zhenqing's running calligraphy. He is undoubtedly a hero in calligraphy at that time.
Zhang Shinan: Ningshi’s original name was not in time, but during the Tang and Liang Dynasties, he stood up for himself with integrity. With a broad frame of mind, you can avoid the disasters of the five seasons and end up with a long life.
Zhao Bingwen: Young Master Yang persuaded his father not to give the country to others. How is this different from Lu Gong's refusal to An Lushan and rebuking Li Xilie? Therefore, although his book inherits the remaining practices of the Five Seasons in the late Tang Dynasty, it still has a peaceful and pure atmosphere.
Dong Qichang: Shaoshi's leek flower calligraphy has a slightly flowing style, which is scattered and elegant. It is different from Shaoshi's other calligraphy, which is written from the side. However, the style is drawn from the side, so it is Shaoshi's best feature.
Liu Yong's quatrains on calligraphy: I love Yang Fengcao's magic and follow him when he comes out of Xitai in the evening. Xiangmenhua group is willing to give up, who will be the leader of the five generations of perfect people?
Wang Wenzhi's quatrains on calligraphy: "The leek flower in a post emphasizes the _lin", which is the most appreciated sound in Huating through the ages. I want to see people waking up from their daytime sleep, and I write Qiu Yin on the Maiguang shop table.
Bao Shichen: ①The scenery is as beautiful as the outside, strong reins and tight deployment. ②The grass in Luoyang is divided into parts, with the side as the main song and the muddy part. Dong Li and Su Zi are extraordinary, and if you want to know more about them, you must go to the source of the river. ③The young master's straw is spread out into the paper, and it can be used together, but it is still cool and cool, which is too much.
Books: Su Huang alone praised the views of calligraphy in the Five Dynasties, but now we can see that his books are particularly outstanding, such as the great immortal's calligraphy. Looking for a room, there is no need to imitate Yanliu, but the actual Yanliu is already prepared.
It is also said that Jing Du's calligraphy was based on his appearance, but he did not wear clothes or shoes, so he started his own family. However, those who study facial expressions should especially appreciate the power of writing and resistance to conduct, and those who do not wear clothes or wear clothes outside.
Li Ruiqing: Yang Jingdu was a major hub from the Tang Dynasty to the Song Dynasty. The brush strokes of the leek flower stickers were drawn into the paper, which is also the method of Orchid Pavilion. Not out of range.
Kang Youwei: The young division has changed into the appearance of the right army, and the spiritual principles are self-satisfied, and the cover can be divided into grass, so it can be strange.
Anecdotes
Pretending to be crazy to avoid disaster
Yang Ningshi, courtesy name Jingdu, was born in Huayin (now Huayin, Shaanxi Province). He is a famous poet. The year he was born was the year of Guisi, so he called himself a Guisi person. It is said that he is a descendant of Yang Su, the Duke of Yue in the Sui Dynasty, and his ancestors were all prime ministers of the Tang Dynasty.
Yang Ningshi was energetic, smart, and rich in literary talent. His articles were highly praised by people at the time. However, he was slightly poorer and short in stature, but this did not affect his examination during the reign of Emperor Zhaozong of the Tang Dynasty. Jinshi. After becoming a Jinshi, he entered the official career, first as a financial officer, that is, as an inspector of Duzhi, and later as a secretary.
At the end of the Tang Dynasty, Yang Ningshi's father, Yang She, became the prime minister. However, the situation of the rise of princes made his life as prime minister very difficult. Finally, when the Tang Dynasty was replaced by Zhu Wen, he He took on the thankless task of delivering the emperor's seal of the Tang Dynasty to Zhu Wen. It turns out that when he first became prime minister, he cried to his son: "In these troubled times, my children may suffer. Alas! I wonder if it will affect you?"
Yang Ningshi was also very worried at the time. When he was young, when he saw that his father had taken on this reviled job, he said to his father: "As the prime minister, my father is in such a state, and the country has reached this point. It cannot be said that there is no fault at all. But you have to hand over the jade seal passed down to the country. If you protect your own wealth, what will people say about you in a thousand years? It would be better for my father to refuse." Yang She was so scared when he heard this, because the situation was very critical at that time. In order to prevent the old officials of the Tang Dynasty from doing things that were detrimental to him, Zhu Wen sent a large number of spies to infiltrate the ministers and collect their opinions. Many people suffered misfortunes because of their improper words, and some even had their families destroyed. Yang She lived in fear every day.
When Yang Ningshi saw his father's panic, he realized that he had gotten into a big trouble and hurriedly shut his mouth. The father was afraid that his son's words would spread, so he didn't eat for several days. Good food, but I feel depressed and sigh all day long. Yang Ningshi was also very scared. If his words were heard and reached Zhu Wen's ears, it would be difficult for his family to survive. Yang Ningshi couldn't think of a better way, so in the end he had to pretend to be crazy. Just in case. From then on people called him "Crazy Yang".
The words of father and son were not listened to by outsiders. After Zhu Wen ascended the throne, Yang She was allowed to continue to be the prime minister of the Later Liang Dynasty. And Yang Ningshi's "madness" was cured. With his father's relationship, he also served in Houliang and became the imperial censor and the minister of rites. Later, King Zhang Quanyi of Qi took a fancy to his talent and promoted him. Prime Minister Zhao Guangyi also admired him. With Zhao Guangyi's support, he was promoted to the position of direct bachelor of Jixian Palace and wailang of merit examination.
Liang Liang was wiped out by the Later Tang Dynasty by clever use of his "crazy" disease, but Yang Ningshi was not affected. On the contrary, he was promoted to the position of Zhizhigao and was in charge of the drafting of the emperor's edict. Very powerful. But then he became a little "crazy". Perhaps he realized that although this position was very prominent, it could easily offend the emperor and lead to death, so he pretended to be crazy to avoid trouble. Just like Meng Zhixiang resigned from the post of Zhongmen envoy, because the previous Zhongmen envoys were all killed for offending the emperor. After this madness, he was reassigned as editor and editor of the History Museum and in charge of the affairs of the History Museum.
When Emperor Mingzong Li Siyuan came to power, Emperor Mingzong named him Zhongshu Sheren. He pretended to be crazy and refused to go to court, let alone take office. Emperor Mingzong had no choice but to let him take other posts. When Emperor Li Congke of the late Tang Dynasty was in power, Yang Ningshi was granted the title of Minister of War. During one of Li Congke's military parades in person, Yang Ningshi's "madness" broke out again. He kept shouting and yelling, making it impossible to continue the military parade. Li Congke was famous because of his reputation and talent, and many people knew that he had He was mad, so he was not punished and was sent back to Luoyang to rest.
After the fall of the Later Tang Dynasty and the establishment of the Later Jin Dynasty, Yang Ningshi became a guest of the prince again. Later, he retired as the Minister of Rites and lived in Luoyang, living comfortably. After leaving the court, he was freer and spoke without scruples. Also, when he said something excessive, people thought he was "mad" again, and no one cared about him, so he ignored local affairs. He likes to criticize and criticize everything. The local officials did not blame him because he was talented and highly respected.
When Sang Weihan came to power, Yang Ningshi had already retired, so there was no salary supply and life was somewhat difficult. When Sang Weihan heard about the plight of the talented Yang Ningshi, he came forward to ask the emperor to give him the honor of being the prince's Shaobao. His job title gave him a fixed salary to support his family.
The Later Jin Dynasty was finally destroyed due to war with the Khitan, and the Later Han Dynasty was established. He also held official positions in the Later Han Dynasty, such as Prince Shaofu and Prince Shaoshi. At the end of the Later Han Dynasty, after Guo Wei raised his troops and entered Kaifeng, Yang Ningshi went to greet Guo Wei at the door when he entered the city. He told Guo Wei that he was old and found it difficult to do things. Guo Wei comforted him without blaming him. But after Guo Wei became emperor, because he did not contribute to Guo Wei's accession to the throne, he took advantage of the situation and proposed to return to his hometown, that is, to retire and go home. Guo Wei readily agreed and gave him the title of right servant to return to his hometown.
Yang Ningshi stayed idle in his hometown for a while. Guo Wei died of illness. Later Zhou Shizong Chai Rong succeeded to the throne and issued an edict for Yang Ningshi to return to the court. Perhaps Yang Ningshi became bored after living idle for a long time. , he accepted Shizong's appointment and was promoted to Zuopushe, with the additional title of Prince Taibao.
From the end of the Tang Dynasty to the Later Zhou Dynasty, it is generally said that Yang Ningshi experienced five dynasties. Strictly speaking, the Tang Dynasty should be added, which is six.
Tolerant of talented people
Yang Ningshi was famous for being "crazy", and some of his interesting stories were often mentioned after his death. Once when he was riding back home, he was impatient and said that the carriage and horses were moving too slowly. He simply got off the car and walked with a cane. Pedestrians on the roadside pointed at him and laughed, but Yang Ningshi didn't care. One year, winter arrived, but his wife and children did not have cotton-padded clothes yet. Instead of ignoring it, he transferred a batch of silk given by a friend not long ago to two temples and made socks for the monks to wear. He screamed from the cold, but he didn't care. Upon seeing this, the local left-behind officials hurriedly sent cotton-padded clothes and rice to this famous family of officials. Yang Ningshi smiled: "I know they will definitely rescue us!"
Yang Ningshi was a very easy-going person. One morning, he and his servant went out to play. When the servant asked where he was going, he said: When going east to Guang'ai Temple, the servant said it would be better to go west to Shibi Temple. He raised his whip and said, "It's better to go to Guang'ai Temple." The servant said, "It's better to go to Shibi Temple." Yang Ningshi then said, "Then go first. Shibi Temple." Upon hearing this, everyone clapped their hands and cheered with joy.
Yang Ningshi is not only good at pretending to be crazy, he is also better at and more famous for his poetry and calligraphy. There are many witty poems in his poems, which are very interesting. Zhang Quanyi once promoted him, and he appropriately praised his merits: "The scenery of Luoyang is really sad. It used to be a pile of tiles in the past. It was not my father who renovated it, but it is still a pile of ashes." Another time, he When he returned to Luoyang from Kaifeng, a locust plague broke out. When he arrived in Luoyang, the locusts that covered the sky and the sun arrived in Luoyang at the same time. He first sent a poem to Luoyang Yin Zhang Congen: "Lead the locusts to Luojing, and the governor of Hexiao County will greet them from afar." Zhang Congen smiled when he saw the poem and did not blame him.
Yang Ningshi’s poems have a different realm because of his belief in Buddhism. He likes to visit temples, and various scenery can make him think about current affairs. Therefore, his poems are also very refined, such as "The courtyard is like Zen and the mind is calm, and the flowers are like awakening and roundness." It is very clear and beautiful, very famous, and has always been praised by people. .
Although Yang Ningshi's poetry is highly accomplished, compared with his calligraphy, the gap is still quite large. His calligraphy is vigorous and bold. With Ouyang Xun and Yan Zhenqing as his masters, coupled with his own indulgence and boldness, his calligraphy art has a unique style. When visiting temples, I would linger when I encountered beautiful landscapes. I would watch and chant poems, and I would pick up a pen to write when I saw the wall. I chanted and wrote as smoothly as if I had divine help. People carefully protect these walls where he wrote poems, which shows that his calligraphy skills have reached a very high level. People said that his calligraphy was very similar to Yan Zhenqing's, so he and Yan Zhenqing were collectively called "Yan Yang".
His handwriting has been left on the walls of many temples in Luoyang. He rarely used the same name when he signed the final signature. There are Guisi people, Yang Xubai, Xiwei layman, and Guanxi old farmer. The title is sometimes written in regular script, sometimes in cursive script. It is as casual as his character, but his level is very high, so many people say that he was the first calligrapher in the Five Dynasties period.
Yang Ningshi had many outstanding students. Li Jianzhong wrote a poem praising his teacher's calligraphy: "Withered fir trees are falling, cypress trees are frosty and the sky is old, pine smoke, musk deer coals are cloudy, rainy and cold. I was also born with a book addiction, and once I entered Feng Dao's son had the highest opinion of Yang Ningshi: "Shaoqing's original works are everywhere in the monks' residence, but I am afraid that Zhong Yu will not be as good as them. There is no book after this book."
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Yang Ningshi escaped disaster by pretending to be crazy by chance. From then on, he used "madness" as a way to deal with the world. After five generations, he died a good death. His wild character also made his calligraphy art possible. .