Song Huang Tingjian's poem "Cold Mountain Monk and Pang the Gentleman"

Author: Qin Qianli (Compiler)
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-05-01
Features: This volume is a fine work from the later years of Huang Tingjian, often employing reverse strokes and sharp angles to create momentum, with long, upright, and bold lines, as well as a seasoned and unrestrained style, embodying the typical characteristics of Huang's calligraphy. Huang Weng once said: [Next year, when I enter the gorges, watching the long years rowing and the crowd rowing, I realized the calligraphic technique.] This volume offers a glimpse of that.
Huang Tingjian (1045-1105), styled Luzhi, was also known as Shangshan Dao Ren and Qian'an Jushi, and was from Fenning, Hongzhou. He passed the imperial examination in the Zhiping era. From a young age, he was exceptionally perceptive, mastering books at a glance. When his uncle Li Chang visited his home and asked him about the books on the shelf, he answered without hesitation, showing no lack of knowledge. He was filial and naturally talented in both learning and writing. He studied under Su Shi, alongside Zhang Lei, Chao Buzhi, and Qin Guan, who were collectively known as the "Four Scholars of the World." He served as a Librarian and later was exiled for the of inaccuracies in the official history. Though he emerged from Su Shi's tutelage, he became renowned alongside Su Shi, earning the title [Su Huang]. His poetry was unique, rugged, and hard-hitting, pioneering the Jiangxi Poetry School. He was also skilled in ci poetry and calligraphy. Initially, he learned from Zhou Yue, later taking inspiration from Yan Zhenqing, Huai Su, Yang Ningshi, and excelling particularly in [the "Four Masters of Song Calligraphy"]. His running script is tight in the center, yet bold and unconventional; his strokes resemble long spears and shields, with twists and turns, creating a lingering charm. His cursive script surpasses Zhang and surpasses Su, with dynamic and playful movements, leaning and swaying. Overall, it exudes a divine and unrestrained spirit, written freely yet naturally, with size, position, density, and speed all in harmony, like towering pines, the demeanor of an immortal, calm yet refined, a style unseen in previous generations of calligraphers.