Zhao Mengfu's Record of Miaoyan Temple

Author: Shanghai Shuxue Publishing House
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2004-06-01
Features: This book is one of the "Chinese Stele and Calligraphy Classics" series, showcasing the "Moyan Temple Record" by Zhao Mengfu. The calligraphy in this volume is well-proportioned, with round and graceful strokes, and elegant and beautiful structure and layout. This calligraphy book not only has extremely high artistic appreciation and collection value but also allows to experience an ideal realm of classical Chinese calligraphy, embodying softness within strength, outward gentleness yet inner resilience. Beginners can practice by imitating the stroke techniques, structure, and composition of each character. This calligraphy book is a rare treasure and can be considered the best model for beginners. "Moyan Temple Record," also known as "Record of Moyan Temple in Huzhou," was written by Mou and inscribed by Zhao Mengfu, with no date signed. The original manuscript is on paper and in a horizontal scroll format, now preserved at the Princeton University Art Museum.
Zhao Mengfu (1254–1322), styled Zian, was also known as the Taoist of Songxue and Shuijing Palace. His studios were named Songxue Studio and Oubote Pavilion. He was from Wuxing (now Huzhou, Zhejiang) and a descendant of the Song imperial family. After the establishment of the Yuan Dynasty, Emperor Kublai Khan searched for [lost talents], and through the recommendation of Cheng Jufu, Zhao Mengfu became a junior official in the Ministry of Justice. Later, he rose to the position of Academician of the Hanlin Academy and was enfeoffed as Duke of Wei. After his death, he was posthumously honored as Wenmin. He was a great calligrapher and painter of the Yuan Dynasty, skilled in various scripts, particularly running script, regular script, and small regular script.
The "Record of Moyan Temple in Huzhou" does not bear a date of composition, but based on the official title Zhao Mengfu held, it can be inferred that this scroll was written after July 1309 (the second year of the Zдая era) or before September of the following year. According to Yang Zai's "Biography of Zhao Wenmin Gong," [In the seventh month of the Zдая era (second year), Zhao Mengfu was promoted to Zhongshun Dafu, the Administrator of Taizhou in Yangzhou Circuit, and concurrently appointed as the Imperial Farmer. He did not take office. The Emperor Daizong was then in the Eastern Palace, and an envoy was sent to summon him.] This shows that although the title was granted, he did not assume the position and was still in Huzhou at home. By September of the following year, he finally responded to the summons and traveled to Dadu (now Beijing). Thus, we know this scroll was created when he was either 56 or 57 years old, placing it in his slightly later middle period. The characters in this work exhibit broad and spacious structures, expansive and unrestrained strokes, exquisite dots and strokes, and flexible turns. Within the solemn and orderly composition, there is a touch of elegance and brilliance, demonstrating a high level of calligraphic artistry. It is also an excellent model for learning the "Zhao style" of calligraphy.