Cai Xiang, whose courtesy name was Junmo and also known as Puyang Jushi, was a native of Xinghua County, Xinghua Army (now Xinghua, Fujian).
Cai Xiang (1012-1067), also known as Junmo and also known as Puyang Jushi, was a famous calligrapher in the Northern Song Dynasty. His main works include "Wan'an Bridge", "Yan Zhenqing's Postscript", "Le Zhi Tang Ji", "Pavilion Approval", etc. Cai Xiang's calligraphy is vigorous and dignified, and his running script is natural and smooth. Together with Su Shi, Huang Tingjian and Mi Fu, he is known as one of the "Four Masters of Calligraphy in the Song Dynasty".
Character introduction
Cai Xiang was smart and studious since he was a child. He liked Wang Xizhi's calligraphy. When he was more than ten years old, he copied Wang Xizhi's "Le Yi Lun" and other famous calligraphy. At the age of 18, Cai Xiang passed the imperial examination and became the first Jinshi. He was subsequently awarded the post of stay-at-home promotion officer in Xijing. However, Cai Xiang did not take up the post and continued to stay in Chen Yaozuo's shogunate. Under the recommendation of Chen Yaozuo, Cai Xiang was appreciated by Ouyang Xiu and promoted to positions such as collation of palaces and pavilions, evaluator of Dali affairs, and supervision of censor Li Xing.
In the fourth year of Qingli reign of Emperor Renzong of the Song Dynasty (1044), Cai Xiang was appointed as the transport envoy of Fujian Road. However, soon after he opposed Xia Song's appointment as privy envoy and requested to serve abroad, and was appointed by Song Renzong as the Fujian Road envoy.
In the third year of Emperor Yingzong’s rule in the Song Dynasty (1066), Cai Xiang was appointed as the magistrate of Hangzhou.
Cai Xiang's calligraphy works are famous for their richness, solemnity, smoothness and naturalness. His regular script inherited Yan Zhenqing's vigorous and solemn style, and incorporated his own style into it, forming a unique "Cai style"; his running script was natural and smooth, and together with Su Shi, Huang Tingjian and Mi Fu, he was named one of the "four great calligraphers of the Song Dynasty". Not many of Cai Xiang's calligraphy works have been handed down from generation to generation, but every one of them is a masterpiece.
Cai Xiang is not only a calligrapher, but also a politician and writer. Politically, he was an honest official, diligent and caring for the people, and worked for the welfare of the people; he also made achievements in literature, and wrote works such as "Collection of Puyang Jushi" and "Litchi Pu".
Cai Xiang’s personality charm and calligraphy achievements are highly respected by future generations. His calligraphy works were highly praised by calligraphers of all dynasties, and he was known as "the first calligrapher in the Song Dynasty"; his moral character was also praised by later generations, and he was honored as "a famous official of the generation".