Oratoric Regular Script Structure of 92 Methods Calligraphy Book

Author: Yang Lu, Editor-in-Chief
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2003-02-01
Features: For thousands of years, people have continuously explored and studied the principles and rules for beautifying regular script. Among those who made significant contributions, there were Zhi Yong in the Sui Dynasty, Zhang Huaiquan and Ouyang Xun in the Tang Dynasty, Chen Xizeng in the Yuan Dynasty, Li Chun and Jiang Ligang in the Ming Dynasty, Wang Peng and Jiang Heng in the Qing Dynasty, and so on, until Huang Ziyuan in the late Qing Dynasty, who collected the key theories of predecessors and wrote "A Summary of 92 Methods for the Structure of Regular Script" (later known as "Huang Ziyuan's 92 Demonstrations of Regular Script Structure"). It uses concise, antithetical couplets and standard typical examples to list ninety types of regular script structure. For over nine hundred years, this work has played an important role in teaching regular script, and people still pass down some oral book aphorisms today, such as "No character has two feet" and "Horizontal strokes are long, while sweeping strokes are short, no need for dots." These aphorisms were approximately derived from the "92 Methods."
Based on these four shortcomings, the "92 Methods" series of calligraphy books for the four major styles—Ouyang, Yan, Liu, and Zhao—analyzes the essence of major regular script works. Each style is compiled in separate volumes, selecting typical examples of each style, aligning the aphorisms with the calligraphic forms, and revising the ninety-two methods according to the characteristics of different regular scripts to ensure consistency. Absolute and one-sided phrases are corrected to make them appropriate, and vague or unclear sections are replaced with clearer methods. The "92 Methods" series inherits Huang's concise and antithetical aphorism style, making it easier for learners to memorize and use. Additionally, to accurately understand and apply the various rules, the series includes an "Explanation of the 90 Methods of Regular Script," a simplified character ( means "comparison table"), and relevant calligraphy knowledge at the end of the book.
Because the "92 Methods" series addresses the shortcomings of Huang's original work and the errors of derivative works, it has been valued by calligraphy researchers. It is also hoped that it will serve as a stepping stone for learners of regular script and be widely welcomed by calligraphy enthusiasts!