In the history of calligraphy, when it comes to calligraphy in the Song Dynasty, there are four great calligraphers: Su, Huang, Mi, and Cai. The four of them are considered to be typical representatives of the calligraphy style of the Song Dynasty.
It is said that the "Cai" in "Su, Huang, Mi, Cai" originally refers to Cai Jing. Later generations hated him as a person, so he was replaced by Cai Xiang. This statement is reasonable. Cai Xiang is 25 years older than Su Shi. He belongs to his father and his elders. He should be at the head of the four families. Now he is at the bottom. This is obviously not the original intention of the Song Dynasty people. Cai Xiang belongs to the traditional school, while Su, Huang, and Mi belong to the Shangyi school. Putting them together, they are really neither fish nor fowl. However, as a traditional calligrapher, Cai Xiang was a representative figure of mainstream calligraphy and had a great influence at the time. "History of the Song Dynasty" originally said that he was "the number one at that time, and Renzong loved him especially". Ouyang Xiu said: "After the brothers Su Zimei, Jun Mo Shu is the only one in the world." Su Shi also praised him as "the best in this dynasty". Cai Jing, whose courtesy name was Yuanchang, was Cai Xiang's cousin. He was a Jinshi in the third year of Xining. During the reign of Emperor Huizong, he worshiped Shangshu as the right servant of the Prime Minister. He was in charge of state affairs for four years, and was regarded as one of the "six thieves" in the world. He was good at calligraphy, diligent in studying, and had a high level of understanding. Because of the principle of abolishing calligraphy, Cai Jing should also have a place in the history of calligraphy
Additional answer:
Is it Cai Xiang or Cai Jing?
With the Tang Dynasty? Similarly, the Song Dynasty was also a dynasty with a large number of calligraphers. There is a saying in history that the four calligraphers in the Song Dynasty are arranged as "Su Huang Mi Cai", among which "Su Huang Mi" refers to Su Shi (1037-1101) and Huang Tingjian respectively. (1045-1105), Mi Fu (1051-1107), there has always been no disagreement, but there are differences as to whether "Cai" refers to Cai Xiang (1012-1067) or Cai Jing (1047-1126)
The earliest known person to record the term "Four Schools" is Wang Cun, a survivor of the Southern Song Dynasty in the Yuan Dynasty. He called Cai Xiang's calligraphy in his ink in "Postscript Cai Xiang (Taohe Stone Inkstone Inscription)" that "the writing is sparse and vertical, and it is self-contained." It was called at that time. Four families. After a brief review, Dongpo is full of energy and has the strongest expression, Fu Weng is thin and strong, and Xiangyang changes vertically and horizontally. It is also self-indulgent, and if you look at the three families, you will not rely on Zhongzheng." It can be seen that the earliest "Cai" in the four Song Dynasty families was Cai Xiang, not Cai Jing.
However, in the Ming and Qing Dynasties, began to Some people have questioned this. There are two main grounds for questioning: one is the order of the four surnames "Su Huang Mi Cai", and the other is the quality of Cai Xiang and Cai Jing's calligraphy in "Qinghe Painting and Calligraphy" by Zhang Chou, a connoisseur of calligraphy and painting in the Ming Dynasty. " said: "Those who were called Su, Huang, Mi, and Cai in the books of the Song Dynasty were called Jingye. Later generations hated their behavior, so they dismissed them and entered Jun Mo's book. Jun Mo should not be listed in Yuan Zhang before Su and Huang. (Note: Mi Fu's character) After that, there is no doubt that he is a Jing. The beauty of Jing's writing is not comparable to that of Jun Mo. Sun Piao of the Ming Dynasty said: "Cai Jing is the one of the four great masters in the Song Dynasty. Today, Jun Mo is the successor." Inverted..." ("Postscript to Calligraphy and Painting") "The Sequel to the Corruption Series" by Hang Shijun, a famous scholar in the Qing Dynasty, also lists "Su Huangmi, Cai Fei and Cai Xiang" as an example of "human corruption".
Su Shi (1037-1101), also known as Dongpo Jushi, was a famous writer, calligrapher and painter in the Northern Song Dynasty. He and his father Su Xun were one of the eight great poets of the Tang and Song Dynasties. , his younger brother Su Che is famous for his poetry and prose, and is known as "San Su" in the world.
Huang Tingjian (1045-1105) was named Lu Zhi and was also known as Valley Taoist. Later generations called him Huang Valley and later Fu. Weng was a poet and calligrapher from Fenning, Hongzhou (now Xiushui, Jiangxi). He was a Jinshi in the fourth year of Yingzong's reign (1067) and the third year of Shenzong's Xining (1070). The struggle between the old and new parties intensified and lasted until the fall of the Northern Song Dynasty. Huang Tingjian stood on the side of the old party. Although he did not actively participate in this struggle, he was involved in the struggle throughout his life. In the whirlpool.
Mi Fu (1051-1107) was named Yuanzhang, also known as Xiangyang Manshi, Haiyue Waishi, and Lumen Jushi. His ancestral home is Taiyuan, Shanxi, and he later settled in Zhenjiang, Jiangsu. Because of his weird personality and crazy behavior, he called him "brother" when he met a stone and worshiped him endlessly, so he was called "Midian". Huizong was awarded a doctorate in calligraphy and painting, and was known as "Minan Guan".
Mi Fu is good at poetry and prose, is good at calligraphy and painting, and is a master of calligraphy and painting. He is a calligrapher, painter, connoisseur, and collector. He is second to none among the "Four Calligraphers of the Song Dynasty". His calligraphy style is casual and unrestrained, but also strict with the law. "History of the Song Dynasty·Wenyuan Biography" said: "Fu is particularly wonderful in calligraphy and ink, calm and flying, and captures Wang Xian's brushstrokes."
Cai Xiang (1012-1067), courtesy name Junmo, Xinghua (now Xianyou, Fujian) He was a Jinshi in the eighth year of Tiansheng (1030). He served in the central government of the Song Dynasty as a Collector, Zhijianyuan, Zhishiguan, Zhizhigao, Longtuge Zhishi, Privy Council, Hanlin, and Third Secretary. He held the title of Bachelor of Duanming Palace, and served as the transfer 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" as the Minister of Rites. He is loyal, honest, trustworthy and knowledgeable.
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