Ouyang Xun
The poet who once studied in the North Study Hall of Changsha City was Ouyang Xun. Ouyang Xun was proficient in calligraphy and was known as the "Four Great Masters of the Early Tang Dynasty" together with Yu Shinan, Chu Suiliang and Xue Ji. Because his son Ouyang Tong was good at calligraphy, father and son were collectively called "Big and Little Ou". Calligraphy found its way into the middle of nowhere, so it was named "European Style". Representative works include "Jiucheng Palace Liquan Ming", "Huangfu's Birthday Stele" and "Huadu Temple Stele" in regular script; "Zhongni Meng's Laying Ceremony" and "Thousand-Character Essay" in running script. He has unique insights into calligraphy and has written calligraphy treatises such as "Eight Secrets", "Teaching Secrets", "On Using the Brush" and "Thirty-Six Methods". The "Inscription on the Relics of Zen Master Huadu Siyi", "The Monument of Yu Gonggong Wen Yanbo" and "The Monument of Huangfu's Birthday" are known as "the first regular script in the Tang Dynasty".
Ouyang Xun had a close friendship with Li Yuan, and was awarded the position of Shizhong by Li Shimin. He was promoted to the crown prince and granted the title of Male of Bohai County. During this period, he co-chaired the compilation of "Art and Literature Collection". His regular script is known as "the most regular script" and has been imitated by later generations. He also created the "Ouyang Xun Ba Jue" calligraphy theory and wrote a book summarizing calligraphy formal techniques and aesthetic requirements such as calligraphy brushes, structure, and composition. It is a precious legacy of Chinese calligraphy theory. In 641, Ouyang Xun died at the age of 84.
Ouyang Xun’s calligraphy theory
Teaching Tips
Every stroke must be in a round and upright manner, with strength in all directions and weights, and concentration and meditation. When reviewing the shape of the calligraphy, the four sides should be balanced and all eight sides should be prepared; the length and length should be balanced, and the thickness should be balanced; the mind and eye should be accurate, and the density should be correct. The worst thing is not to be busy, because being busy will cause you to lose momentum; not to be slow, and being slow will lead to bone loss; and not to be thin, because thinness will look like a withered shape, and not fattening, because fatness will make the body turbid. It comes carefully and slowly, and the body is naturally prepared. This is the most wonderful thing. On July 12, the sixth year of Zhenguan, I asked Shannu to give me instructions.
Ba Jue
The calligraphy theory of "Ouyang Xun Ba Jue" created by Ouyang Xun has unique insights. There are inspirations from the Ming Dynasty's Li Chun's Eighty-four Methods and the Qing Dynasty's Huang Ziyuan's writings of the Structure of 92 Methods.
Changsha Chengbei Shutang
Shutang Mountain in Wangcheng District, Changsha City is a famous historical mountain where Ouyang Xun and his son, the great calligrapher of the Tang Dynasty, engaged in the study and creation of calligraphy art. Shutang Mountain is close to the Xiangjiang River and is connected with the Xiangjiang River. Changsha Xiangjiang Aviation and Electricity Hub is adjacent to Changsha, 6 kilometers from Changsha Tongguanyao Heritage Park to the north, and about 20 kilometers from Changsha city center to the south. It has an altitude of 192.4 meters and a main peak area of ??1.85 square kilometers. It is an important place for Ouyang Xun and his son to engage in the study and creation of calligraphy art. The place has a history of 1,500 years.
Shutang Mountain is surrounded by peaks and ridges, with towering trees and an excellent ecological environment, which complements the historical and cultural relics. Various historical relics are scattered in the beautiful mountains and forests. High and low, hidden and exposed, virtual and real complement each other, giving people excellent cultural aesthetic enjoyment and leisure experience. It is really a good place for mountaineering enthusiasts to climb.