Liu Gongquan's Collection of Tang Poetry from the Xu Mi Tower Stele

Author: Luo Pingguo
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2003-01-01
Features: Liu Gongquan (AD 778–865), styled Chengxuan, was a native of Huayuan, Jingzhao (now Yaohuang, Shaanxi). He served as the Imperial Scholar in the palace during the reigns of Emperor Muzong, Emperor Jingzong, and Emperor Wenzong, rising to the position of Grand Preceptor of the Heir Apparent, earning the title "Liu Shaoshi" in later generations. He was a renowned calligrapher of late Tang. Skilled in calligraphy, his regular script was particularly celebrated. Initially, he studied under Wang Xizhi, then extensively explored calligraphic techniques from various dynasties, drawing influence from Yan Zhenqing and Ou Yangxi. His compositions often incorporated the opposing aesthetics of Yan's script. As the saying goes, "His calligraphy emerged from Yan, yet its inner essence transformed into external angles." His style was bold, powerful, and vigorous, combining dignity with grace, clarity, and suppleness. His brushwork emphasized strength while preserving bones, with strokes seeking to be brisk and vigorous. His innovations blended Ou's "forceful and vigorous" essence with Yan's "internally rich and deeply powerful," forging a unique style. Among his surviving works, apart from the renowned Diamond Sutra, the Stele of the Profound Secret Pagoda and the Stele of the Divine Strategy Army are revered as models through the ages. The Stele of the Profound Secret Pagoda, in full In Memory of the Left Street Monk Record, Supreme Teacher of the Inner Court, Guide of the Imperial Carriage, Grand Master of the Anle Temple, Conferred Purple Robe, Grand Master Datade of the Profound Secret Pagoda, was inscribed in the first year of Huichang (AD 841) by Pei Ti, with Liu Gongquan writing and engraving the title. The stele stands 3.5 meters high and 1.7 meters wide, now preserved at the Xi'an Stele Forest. Written in regular script, it has 28 lines per column, each containing 54 characters, totaling 1,512 characters. The stele was composed when Liu Gongquan was 63, featuring strong stroke, rigorous yet spacious composition, and a clear, elegant, and upright style. It has been widely disseminated, serving as an essential textbook for learners of calligraphy and an entry point for mastering the Liu style. This volume is one of the Poetry Selection Series, collecting Tang Dynasty poems written by Liu Gongquan in the Stele of the Profound Secret Pagoda. The Stele of the Profound Secret Pagoda is one of Liu Gongquan's masterpieces, renowned for its precise regular script and strict composition, making it an excellent model for beginners. The 15 selected seven-character quatrains, written by renowned poets such as Li Bai, Du Mu, and Bai Juyi, are widely celebrated. Combining reading, writing, practicing calligraphy, and appreciating art, it meets the modern need for learning and appreciating traditional Chinese cultural arts. The introduction of writing styles and the use of the millimeter grid also greatly facilitate beginners.