Four Poems by Cao Zhi: Exquisite Chinese Calligraphy Masterpieces (Full-Color Printing)

Author: Xu Hongliu
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2002-01-01
Features: "The Manuscript of Cao Zhi's Poems" is one of the representative works of Zhu Yunming's cursive script, approximately written around 1525 during the Jiajing era of the Ming Dynasty. The manuscript transcribes four poems by Cao Zhi, including "Konghou Yin," totaling 116 lines and 581 characters, with dimensions of 36.1×1154.7 cm. The work fully demonstrates Zhu Yunming's profound mastery in tracing the styles of the Jin and Tang dynasties, as well as his unrestrained and bold personality. This is particularly evident in his flexible application of the two techniques, "brushing" and "fracturing." During the swift, lightning-fast brushwork, the direction of his wrist's flicks and the sharpness of his strokes often defy expectation. Zhu Yunming was highly self-assured of his cursive script. At the end of "The Manuscript of Cao Zhi's Poems," he inscribed: "Written under the scorching winter wind, the spirit is from a thousand five hundred years ago. Who knows who will recognize it?" The "spirit" referred to as "a thousand five hundred years ago" in this context likely refers to his desire to connect with the "sage of cursive script" Zhang Zhi of the Late Han Dynasty. This realm of spiritual connection with the ancients spanning a thousand years is indeed not something everyone can achieve. However, if everyone can, through studying this model calligraphy, grasp the brushwork and comprehend the meaning, and then trace back to the Jin, Tang, Han, and Wei dynasties, it would not be difficult to become Zhu Yunming's "knowers." But I believe that if we can, through studying this model calligraphy, grasp the brushwork and comprehend the meaning, and then trace back to the Jin, Tang, Han, and Wei, it would not be difficult to become Zhu Yunming's "knowers."