Gu Shanjfu's copy of the Diamond Sutra

Author: Compiled by the Editorial Department
Publisher:
Publication Date: 2002-06-01
Features: Gu Shanfu was a prominent calligrapher active during the Dade period of the Yuan Dynasty. His name was Xin, style name Shanfu, and late title Leshan Chushi. He was from Kunshan (now Kunshan, Jiangsu). In the early Dade period of the Yuan Dynasty, he served as the Zhejiang Military Arms Supervisor. As noted by Li Rihua in Six Studies Studio Notes: "Xin was renowned for his calligraphy and studied with Zhao Wenmin. Whenever he practiced calligraphy, he engraved it on stone and created an archway inscribed with 'Ink Wonders,' eventually adopting the late title Leshan Chushi." There are scarce historical records of Gu Shanfu's calligraphy, and Ma Zonghuo's Calligraphy Oasis does not include him either, making it impossible to trace the origins of his style. However, from this small regular script album, it is evident that he was influenced by Zhao Mengfu of the same era. The title on the back of the album reads: "On the auspicious day of the first month of spring in the third year of the Huangqing era, the northern three teachings Gu Shanfu presented this album to the Baolian Buddhist Monastery on West Lake in Jianye." The third year of the Huangqing era corresponds to 1214, which is about sixteen or seventeen years after he became the Zhejiang Military Arms Supervisor in the early Dade period. This suggests that he wrote it in his later years for the Baolian Buddhist Monastery.
This scroll of regular script is written on dyed silk, with a black-line margin and straight grid lines throughout. When composing this scroll, the artist was free from distraction, with ample time and a devout heart, concentrating his attention on the strokes. This allowed the work to flow seamlessly from beginning to end.
In the Tang Dynasty, there were "sutraists" (calligraphers who specialized in copying scriptures), some of whom made a living solely by copying religious texts. Throughout history, scholars and literati also occasionally wrote Buddhist scriptures as acts of merit. The former followed certain patterns in copying, while the latter was more expressive, representing a subtle difference between the two. This scroll of regular script differs greatly from Tang Dynasty sutraists' works and exudes the scholarly refinement of a literati, evident in the characters. Thus, the artist paid greater attention to expressing his individuality in the writing process. It is clear that this work stands as a fine example of historical scripture writing.
It is now published in a photolithographic edition, serving as a reference and study material for those passionate about small regular script calligraphy.