Chinese Stele Classics -- Ode to Fenglong Mountain

Author: Fang Chuanxin
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2004-01-01
Features: Established in the tenth month of the seventh year of the Han Yanyi era (164 AD), in regular script with fifteen lines, twenty-six characters per line, without the name of the calligrapher. It belongs to the category of Fang's bold and heroic style, with clear, crisp, and lively brushwork, round and robust, well-structured, yet not rigid. The overall arrangement is upright and symmetrical, exuding a serene and dignified atmosphere. Within each stroke, there is a combination of up-and-down movements, with clear light and heavy tones, demonstrating excellent dynamism. The strokes within a character are executed perfectly, whether light or heavy. Shanghai Shuxue Publishing House has now published a facsimile of this stele, dedicating it to the for reference, copying, and research. This stele was relatively late in circulation and was obscure before the Daoguang era. It neither enjoyed the fame of grand imperial works nor was it as well-known as some others. It began to receive some recognition since the late Qing Dynasty. It belongs to the category of Fang's bold and heroic style, with clear, crisp, and lively brushwork, round and robust, well-structured, yet not rigid. The overall arrangement is upright and symmetrical, exuding a serene and dignified atmosphere. Within each stroke, there is a combination of up-and-down movements, with clear light and heavy tones, demonstrating excellent dynamism. The strokes within a character are executed perfectly, whether light or heavy. Shanghai Shuxue Publishing House has now published a facsimile of this stele, dedicating it to the for reference, copying, and research.
It is worth noting that when studying this stele, in addition to mastering the common characteristics of Han steles, one must also explore its unique features. For general copiers, the flaw often exposed is weak and feeble brushwork, known in calligraphy as "Zhong Que." This requires attention to the force of the brush and the starting point of each stroke. To achieve mastery in calligraphy, one must put in hard work. This book is part of the "Chinese Stele and Manuscript Classics" series, showcasing the "Fenglongshan Ode." The characters in this collection are evenly spaced, with round and vigorous, flowing brushwork, and a dignified and elegant structure. This collection not only holds high artistic and collectible value but also allows calligraphy enthusiasts to appreciate the ideal realm of classical Chinese calligraphy—softnessing toughness, appearing gentle yet inwardly strong. Beginners can copy each character based on its brushwork, structure, and overall arrangement. This collection is a rare gem and can be considered the best model for beginners.