Chinese Stele and Inscription Classics -- Tang Dynasty's Moon Pattern Sheet

Author: Compiled by the Press
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2000-12-01
Features: The original "Yuiyi Tie" by Kang Ren is now preserved in the Taipei Palace Museum. It is a yellow hemp paper book. The early missing parts include the sub-title and sections for the first, second, and fifth months. The "Yuiyi Tie" is a cursive calligraphy work. Interlaced between the lines are regular script annotations, also known as "The Twelve-Month Letters of Friendship," which were attributed to Tang Dynasty calligraphers by Xie Jin in the colophon. "This album is divided into twelve monthly orders and crafted into letter forms." Its content reflects the customary phrases for friends exchanging greetings according to the lunar calendar, arranged in an interesting manner when read. The front sub-page of the album bears an imperial edict written by Zhao Bingchong: "The 'Yuiyi' traces back to the Tang Dynasty, its paper and ink endure a thousand years. Letters align with the four seasons, deep devotion to good friends. Let time not forget our bond, its weight lingers in our hearts. The Jin-era album is long gone, Zhiyong's work comes next. The Song imperial collection passed down, each fragment deserves to be treasured. Meaningful yet unrestrained, it graces the album's title." This could be said to provide a concise summary and explanation of the album. Regarding its artistic value, Xie Jin once remarked in the colophon: "I have always believed that no existing works by Jin Dynasty calligraphers remain, and while many by Song Dynasty calligraphers have been seen, Tang Dynasty works surpass the Jin in quality, with only a few surviving to this day. The words and brushwork are exquisite, profound and miraculous, with annotations that are equally elegant." Wang Wenzhi also discussed the album in his colophon: "The brushwork is rounded and vigorous, deeply rooted in the realm of Jin masters. The small annotations are dynamic and ever-changing, beyond description. Later generations since the Song could never achieve this, and it must be the work of a single master who created both the cursive script and the annotations." As for its artistic value, the Palace Museum has previously published a photolithographic reproduction of this album. It is now reproduced once again to delight readers.