Selected Calligraphic Works Through the Ages Ming Zhu Yunming, "Ode to the Jade Forest and Jade Trees" (Ming Zhu Yunming)

Author: Jiang Yin
Publisher: Xiling Press
Publication Date: 2004-07-01
Features: "Poem of the Jade Forest and Exquisite Trees," Running script, Ink on silk, Album leaf, 34 cm in height, 22.5 cm in width, collected by Qi Shuyu. This poem was written by Zhishan at the age of 38 in a Qinhuai residence in the capital for the illustration "Jade Forest and Exquisite Trees." The script blends running and cursive styles, with an ancient, remote, and unrestrained character formation. Its tilting and dynamic movements derive from Guishan, flowing and vigorous, balanced and exquisite, dense and strong like "[iron wrapped in cotton]," truly inspired by Dongpo. As Baiyun Jushi Zhou Eryan noted in his preface: "[I once saw Huang Lují's calligraphy of Zhan Zhan's 'Poem of the Peach Blossoms in Dinghui Temple,' and now Zhishan's scroll, both the poem and the script follow his style. However, the poem is slightly inferior to Zhan Zhan's, perhaps because it is too sincere and borders on the vernacular. The script, on the other hand, surpasses the blue, and its radiant, round, and thick style may even be beyond Zhan Zhan's satisfaction at his best. Yet he claims to have learned from Zhao, but in fact Zhao Anyang could hardly have hoped to see Zhishan."