Iron Pen Genius: The Life of Zhu Fugan

Author: Hou Xueshu
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2002-12-01
Features: I was a commoner from Jiangnan since childhood, with a passion for stone carving. Hearing the earnest advice of my ancestors, I learned that stone carving must be preceded by proficiency in calligraphy. I immersed myself in the studies of Xu Shen, meticulously analyzing pictographic and ideographic characters. With 9,353 characters, from head to tail, I memorized them and practiced both Great Seal and Small Seal scripts. In history, I felt like I knew Li Si, the master calligrapher of the Qin dynasty. From the Han and Wei dynasties onwards, I focused on cursive script, which originated from seal script. Following Zhang Zhi in cursive script, I studied the works of Wang Xizhi and Wang Xianzhi, and later delved into the styles of Yan Liben and Jing Hao in painting. Year after year, I indulged in this art, content and forgetful of time. Looking around, I only saw the clarity of the distance, but when I looked in the mirror, I was startled to see my hair turn white. The desire to climb the heights was strong, but now the times have changed. With a thousand flowers blooming and the joy of the people, I should dedicate my lifelong learning to my motherland. I am a person, and everyone is for me—my mind was enlightened, and the world became vast.
Content of the Book:
Descendants of Hongwu, disciples of the Hanlin Academy, and the "benefactor" of revolutionaries;
From the "Yichuntang" fan and umbrella shop to the "Dazhongshijie" amusement park;
Tiejing Hall, Wu Changshuo's "little close friend";
Houyuan Garden, Zhang Meiyi, the "abbott" who met his destiny on the Three-Life Stone, and his disciples;
Dachangli, the "elder friend" of the founding members of the Kuomintang;
Qinghong's help and the (Peking Opera);
"Jingkang Yinji" (Collection of Seal Prints);
The Shanghai Art College professor who opened a "Studebaker" (automobile) shop;
Which "secretary" is most beneficial;
"The nation's rise or fall is the responsibility of every individual";
The bandit and his "strategist";
Surviving a disaster;
The "leading horse" who fell behind;
Chen Yi's request for an seal;
"Fukang Yinji" (Revised Collection of Seal Prints);
The turmoil of the "Art Workers Study Class";
A northern friend;
Copying the murals of the Tianhuan Hall, etc.