Xuanhe Shupu

Author: Gui Dizi
Publisher:
Publish Date: 1999-12-01
Features: The Xuanhe Shupu is a catalog of calligraphy works in the imperial collection during the Xuanhe period of the Northern Song Dynasty under Emperor Huizong. The book comprises 20 volumes, documenting over 1,344 pieces of calligraphy and ink rubbings from various dynasties held in the imperial collection, categorized by emperors and script styles. Each script style is preceded by an introduction discussing its origins and development, followed by biographies and critiques of calligraphers, and concluding with a list of works in the imperial collection. The format is meticulous, the critiques are thorough, and the data is rich. It is a catalog of calligraphy works, totaling 20 volumes, documenting the collection of calligraphy in the imperial collection during the reign of Emperor Huizong of the Song Dynasty. Among them, there is one volume on calligraphy by emperors, four volumes on regular script, six volumes on running script, eight volumes on cursive script, and one volume on clerical script. From seal script downward, each script style has an introduction explaining its origins and evolution, as well as discussions on the criteria and principles for selecting the calligraphers recorded. It concludes with appendices of imperial decrees, edicts, and supplementary documents. Each volume has subheadings, with one biography per person, totaling 197 biographies of calligraphers. Next are the calligraphy collections in the imperial collection, numbering over 1,240 pieces, with entries listed but without accompanying texts.