The writing brush: China’s fifth greatest invention
The ancient and great China is known as the “Four Great Inventions”. These inventions have benefited mankind and even changed the original way of human life and work. . But I once boldly proposed publicly: It is not the four great inventions, but the five great inventions. This "fifth" is our unique Chinese writing brush! Why is the writing brush not recognized by the world? It is because the four great inventions are all of a technological nature. The West is instinctively good at technology, so it has long accepted and developed smoothly. Only the writing brush is of an artistic nature. Unfortunately, the West lacks this cultural and artistic element, so today European and American people It is rare to use a brush. We Chinese people who know calligraphy have always said this: ink contains five colors, the brush is divided into eight methods, the inkstone is moist and rises to the clouds, and the paper is as clean as jade. You see, what a beautiful artistic feeling and theory this is! However, it is still difficult to gain international understanding and recognition. In fact, among the so-called "Four Treasures of the Study", although the name is "Four", the brush is the main one. The other three were invented and used because of the writing brush.
In China’s ancient educational tradition, children must practice calligraphy in addition to reading and learning literature. Calligraphy has different styles, such as seal script, official script, regular script, cursive script, xing script, etc. Therefore, the writing techniques have their own characteristics and are not the same. The most important inscription model in the old traditional calligraphy practice is called "Zhiyong Thousand-Character Essay". Not long ago, I cooperated with Mr. Tian Yunzhang and published a volume of "Thousand-Character Essays on Eternal and Wonderful Essays" by Tianjin University Press. I edited and edited it. Explaining the meaning and value of these thousand words is no small matter. This thousand-word text is written in "real script" (or "regular script") by Mr. Tian. This book is very suitable for high school students as an introduction to calligraphy skills. As for running script, "Lanting Preface" is even more famous and precious. In the past year or so, I have not had any contact with Mr. Tian. At the beginning of spring this year, I suddenly received a poem with seven rhymes from Mr. Tian, ??saying that he had done a long-term study of his "Autumn Nights at Orchid Pavilion" and felt it, so he wrote a poem. Give it to me to express your experience. After reading it, I felt that the selection of words, sentences, content and style of this article showed my skills, which aroused my interest. I immediately wrote an article according to the original rhyme and thought it might be published.
In this new beginning of our vigorous promotion of traditional Chinese culture, although our little book is small, it may still play its due role. If you can do this, you are truly lucky. The original poem and the harmonious poem are appended here for comments and corrections. Thank you very much!