Analysis of Wang Xizhi's Calligraphy

Author: Bai Di
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2005-03-01
Features: Wang Xizhi was born into a family of calligraphers. His uncle Wang Yi, Wang Dao; and cousins Wang Tian, Wang Qia were all renowned calligraphers of the time. Wang Xizhi (321–379 or 303–361), styled Yishao, styled Danzhai, originally from Langya Linyi (now part of Shandong), later moved to Shanyin (now Shaoxing, Zhejiang). He held the positions of Right Military General and Jieshi of Kuaiji and was a great calligrapher of Eastern Jin, revered as the Sage of Calligraphy by later generations. At the age of seven, Wang Xizhi studied calligraphy under the female calligrapher Wei Shuo. He practiced copying Wei’s works until he was twelve, though his skills were already good, he was never fully satisfied. Often hearing his teacher tell stories of calligraphers’ diligent practice, he developed admiration for the Eastern Han “Sage of Cursive” Zhang Zhi and resolved to inspire himself with Zhang’s story of practicing calligraphy by the pool. To improve his calligraphy, he traveled to various places, climbing mountains and crossing rivers to seal and carve ancient steles, accumulating a vast amount of calligraphy materials. In his study, courtyard, by the main gate, and even outside the toilet, he placed stools with brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones. Whenever he thought of a well-structured character, he would immediately write it down. While practicing calligraphy, he would furrow his brows in deep thought, often neglecting sleep and food. He believed that raising geese could not only cultivate his temperament but also help him understand the principles of holding and moving the brush by observing the geese’s postures. One morning, Wang Xizhi and his son Wang Xuanzhi took a small boat to enjoy the landscapes of Shaoxing. Near the village of Langcun, they saw a group of white geese waddling and shuffling along the shore. Wang Xizhi was captivated by their beauty and wanted to buy them. He asked a nearby Taoist priest if he could sell the geese to him. The priest replied, “If Right Military General Wang desires them, please write a Taoist classic for me titled ‘Huangting Jing’!” Eager to get the geese, Wang Xizhi readily agreed to the priest’s request. This is the story of “Wang Xizhi Trading Calligraphy for Geese.” At the age of twenty, a Grand Preceptor named Chi Jian sent someone to Wang Dao’s home to select a son-in-law. During that time, people emphasized social status and sought matches based on compatibility. Wang Dao’s son and nephew, hearing that the Grand Preceptor’s family was coming to propose, disguised themselves to be chosen. Only Wang Xizhi, as if oblivious, lay on a bamboo couch in the east, one hand eating a cake and the other tracing the clothes with a brush. When the messenger returned and reported what he saw, Chi Jian exclaimed upon learning that Wang Xizhi was still calmly lying on the couch: “This is the son-in-law I desire!” Thus, Chi Jian married his daughter Chi Jun to Wang Xizhi. This story became the origin of the idioms “Dongchuang” (eastern couch) and “Lingtan” (excellent son-in-law). There are still more idioms associated with him. It is said that once, he wrote characters on a wooden board and gave it to a carver to follow. The carver used a knife to carve the wood and discovered that his brush strokes had sunk three-thirds into the board. This is the origin of the idiom “Rumufensan” (three-thirds into the wood).
Author: Bai Di
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2005-03-01
Features: Wang Xizhi was born into a family of calligraphers. His uncle Wang Yi, Wang Dao; and cousins Wang Tian, Wang Qia were all renowned calligraphers of the time. Wang Xizhi (321–379 or 303–361), styled Yishao, styled Danzhai, originally from Langya Linyi (now part of Shandong), later moved to Shanyin (now Shaoxing, Zhejiang). He held the positions of Right Military General and Jieshi of Kuaiji and was a great calligrapher of Eastern Jin, revered as the Sage of Calligraphy by later generations. At the age of seven, Wang Xizhi studied calligraphy under the female calligrapher Wei Shuo. He practiced copying Wei’s works until he was twelve, though his skills were already good, he was never fully satisfied. Often hearing his teacher tell stories of calligraphers’ diligent practice, he developed admiration for the Eastern Han “Sage of Cursive” Zhang Zhi and resolved to inspire himself with Zhang’s story of practicing calligraphy by the pool. To improve his calligraphy, he traveled to various places, climbing mountains and crossing rivers to seal and carve ancient steles, accumulating a vast amount of calligraphy materials. In his study, courtyard, by the main gate, and even outside the toilet, he placed stools with brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones. Whenever he thought of a well-structured character, he would immediately write it down. While practicing calligraphy, he would furrow his brows in deep thought, often neglecting sleep and food. He believed that raising geese could not only cultivate his temperament but also help him understand the principles of holding and moving the brush by observing the geese’s postures. One morning, Wang Xizhi and his son Wang Xuanzhi took a small boat to enjoy the landscapes of Shaoxing. Near the village of Langcun, they saw a group of white geese waddling and shuffling along the shore. Wang Xizhi was captivated by their beauty and wanted to buy them. He asked a nearby Taoist priest if he could sell the geese to him. The priest replied, “If Right Military General Wang desires them, please write a Taoist classic for me titled ‘Huangting Jing’!” Eager to get the geese, Wang Xizhi readily agreed to the priest’s request. This is the story of “Wang Xizhi Trading Calligraphy for Geese.” At the age of twenty, a Grand Preceptor named Chi Jian sent someone to Wang Dao’s home to select a son-in-law. During that time, people emphasized social status and sought matches based on compatibility. Wang Dao’s son and nephew, hearing that the Grand Preceptor’s family was coming to propose, disguised themselves to be chosen. Only Wang Xizhi, as if oblivious, lay on a bamboo couch in the east, one hand eating a cake and the other tracing the clothes with a brush. When the messenger returned and reported what he saw, Chi Jian exclaimed upon learning that Wang Xizhi was still calmly lying on the couch: “This is the son-in-law I desire!” Thus, Chi Jian married his daughter Chi Jun to Wang Xizhi. This story became the origin of the idioms “Dongchuang” (eastern couch) and “Lingtan” (excellent son-in-law). There are still more idioms associated with him. It is said that once, he wrote characters on a wooden board and gave it to a carver to follow. The carver used a knife to carve the wood and discovered that his brush strokes had sunk three-thirds into the board. This is the origin of the idiom “Rumufensan” (three-thirds into the wood).