Running script is a writing style between regular script and cursive script, which appeared in the late Western Han Dynasty and the early Eastern Han Dynasty. The name of the running script first appeared in Wei Heng's Four Books in the Western Jin Dynasty: Zhong (Yao) and Hu (Zhao) all studied calligraphy under Zhang Huaiguan's Shu Duan in the Tang Dynasty: "The calligrapher is like Liu Desheng. That is, the book is small and fake, and the affairs are simple and popular, so it is called a running account. " Zhang Huaiguan also said in "On Books": "Husband's calligraphy is neither grass nor true, leaving the party and avoiding circles, and caring about seasonal Mencius. Those who are true are called true, and those who bring grass are called grass." In the Ming Dynasty, Feng Fang had a more vivid description in Ji Shu: "Write without stopping, write without engraving, gently turn and press again, like running water, without interruption, for business will last forever." Because of its unique artistic expression and wide practicability, running script has been favored and widely circulated since its birth. After the golden period of Wei and Jin Dynasties and the development period of Tang Dynasty, running script reached a new peak in Song Dynasty and gradually occupied the mainstream position in various calligraphy styles. Throughout the long history of calligraphy, the development of seal script, official script and regular script has ups and downs, while running script is immortal, which has always been a prominent study in calligraphy. Great calligraphers of past dynasties wrote a glorious history of running script development.
With the vigorous development of contemporary calligraphy art, the exploration and innovation of running script creation has set off wave after wave of upsurge, showing a diversified and prosperous scene. In the complicated heat wave of calligraphy, the author makes rational exploration with his own understanding and persistent pursuit of calligraphy, and summarizes some preliminary experiences and insights from years of practice.
In the vast treasure house of calligraphy art, running script is undoubtedly the most beautiful and rich treasure. Among them, Wang Xizhi created Preface to Lanting, which is known as the world's first running script; Yan Zhenqing created the second running script in the world and the manuscript of Mourning My Nephew. Su Shi created the third running script and cold food stickers in the world; Wang Xun founded Yuan Bo Post; Wang Xianzhi created duck head pill postal service, etc. These classic works illuminate the starry sky of calligraphy art, are the artistic essence left over after a long period of elutriation, and are the unique contribution of the Chinese nation to the field of human aesthetics.