Ho Shao-ki

Author: He Shaoji (Qing Dynasty)
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2002-05-01
Features: Chinese calligraphy has a history of thousands of years. At first, it was practical and existed alongside writing. During the Song, Yuan, Ming, and early Qing dynasties, calligraphers mostly followed the styles of the Two Wangs (Wang Xizhi and Wang Xianzhi), adopting the methods of scholars and revering the ancients, though there were also innovations. From the mid-Qing dynasty onwards to the early Republic of China, epigraphical studies flourished, and the rules underwent significant changes, replacing the aesthetic of scholarly scrolls with the charm of inscriptions and artifacts. They surpassed the Two Wangs, tracing back to seal and clerical scripts, delving deep into Wei Stele calligraphy. At this point, calligraphers valued simplicity and pursued boldness and unrestrained brushwork, with sharp and brisk strokes, robust and expansive forms. They moved freely between the styles of the Three Dynasties, Qin and Han, and Wei Stele cliff inscriptions, returning to the natural and spontaneous charm in both artistic conception and context.
Calligraphy differs from music, painting, and sculpture—it is a unique art of the Chinese people. Over these thousands of years of calligraphic history, countless masters have emerged, shining like stars. These invaluable artistic legacies must be organized and preserved. Of course, there have always been many people who cared about calligraphy, and books on calligraphers' biographies and rubbings of steles have become increasingly popular, suggesting a promising outlook. In recent years, our publishing house has also published a series of such books. Seeing calligraphy's current widespread popularity makes me feel happy, as if it were my own cause.