Hanzi bamboo slip Laozi Jia version

Author: Chen Songchang
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2001-07-01
Features: The Mawangdui Bamboo Slips of the Laozi (No. 1) do not avoid the name of Emperor Gaozu of Han, Liu Bang, indicating that they were copied during his reign, specifically between 206 BC and 195 BC. The calligraphy style of this bamboo slip is an ancient semi-cursive script between seal script and clerical script, making it an important resource for studying the evolution of Chinese characters. From the perspective of calligraphic art, this bamboo slip clearly reflects the traces of the evolution of Chinese characters in its structural composition. For example, characters like "you" and "ruo" already show wave-like and upturned brushstrokes typical of clerical script, while the overall composition of the characters shifts from the vertical emphasis of seal script to a more square and flat orientation. In terms of strokes, fundamental clerical script elements such as dots, horizontal lines, waves, and splashes have become essential components of the form. The brushwork varies in thickness, balancing sharp and rounded lines, while the layout of the characters is deliberately tilted, irregular, and free-flowing. It can be said that this bamboo slip is a clear example of ancient semi-cursive script with a pronounced clerical script trend, embodying an approachable yet rustic and ancient charm.