Famous Stele of Sui and Tang Dynasties - Chu Suiliang's "Holy Teaching on the Big Wild Goose Pagoda"

Author: Chu Suiliang
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2001-01-01
Features: The Holy Teaching Inscription on the Yan (also known as The Holy Teaching Inscription at Ci'en Temple), consisting of two stone slabs. The front stone slab bears the full title The Holy Teaching Inscription of the Great Tang Emperor Taizong, written by Emperor Taizong Li Shimin of the Tang Dynasty and inscribed by Chu Suiliang in the 12th month of the Yonghui era (653 AD). It is in regular script, with 20 lines, each containing 40 characters. Both slabs are located beneath the Great Yan at Ci'en Temple in Xi'an, Shaanxi.
Chu Suiliang (569–648 AD) was a native of Qiantang, Hangzhou, during the Kaihuang era of Emperor Wen of Sui. He lived until the Xiangqing era of Emperor Gaozong of Tang (either 658 or 659 AD). He was known by the courtesy name Dengshan and held various official positions during Emperor Taizong's reign, including Censor-in-Chief, concurrent holder of the office of Recording Secretary, and Chancellor. Under Emperor Gaozong, he was enfeoffed as Count of Henan and later promoted to Marquis of Henan, earning the title Chu Henan. Later, he was appointed Minister of Personnel, Supervising Historian, and Right Vice-Chancellor. However, he was demoted after opposing Emperor Gaozong's decision to appoint Wu Zetian as empress.
His calligraphy initially drew from the styles of Shilin and Ouyang Xun, later studying under Yu Shinan. He traced his influences back to the calligraphers Wang Xizhi and Wang Xianzhi of the Jin Dynasty and incorporated elements of Han Dynasty clerical script. By blending ancient techniques with innovative approaches, he created a distinctive style characterized by richness, fluency, and diverse variations, establishing himself as a highly influential calligrapher in later generations.