Mi Fu's 92 Methods for the Structure of Running Script

Author: Hanhai
Publisher:
Publish Date: 1999-01-01
Features: Running script is one of the most perfect styles in Chinese calligraphy that unifies practicality and artistry. The ancients said: "Regular script is like standing, running script is like walking, and cursive script is like running (or rushing)." Walking, in this context, means to stroll gracefully and leisurely. Running script, while being convenient to write, embodies the characteristics of elegance, liveliness, and diversity. Running script is divided into two types: Running Regular Script () and Running Cursive Script (). The former leans towards regular script, while the latter leans towards cursive script. Wang Xizhi and Li Yong's running script works are mostly Running Regular Script, while Wang Xuanzhi and Mi Fu's works are mostly Running Cursive Script. Wang Xizhi, Wang Xuanzhi, Li Yong, and Mi Fu are widely recognized as the great masters of running script throughout history. Their works share commonalities yet exhibit distinct styles, each with its unique strengths.
Wang Xizhi, styled Yishao, was a person from the Jin Dynasty. His running script, both in structure and brushwork, is natural yet full of variation, establishing a model for later generations' running script. Subsequent masters of running script all followed his principles. This series of books selects Wang Xizhi's running script from the Hairen Collection of Wang Xizhi's Holy Teaching Preface. Although this stele was compiled by Hairen using Wang Xizhi's characters, it is a precious existing work of Wang Xizhi, embodying the style of Wang's running script, particularly Running Regular Script.
Wang Xuanzhi, styled Zijing, was Wang Xizhi's son. His running script was influenced by his father but also innovated. The structure and brushwork are expansive and continuous, with letters connected in sequence, often interspersed with cursive elements. This series of books selects multiple short letters of Wang Xuanzhi's running script, offering a glimpse of his style.
Li Yong, styled Taihe, was a person from the Tang Dynasty. Li Yong's running script is particularly suitable for beginners. This is because his structure and brushwork are mostly in Running Regular Script, with a robust and clear style. This series of books selects Li Yong's famous Stele of Li Sixin to vividly recreate the innovative style of Tang Dynasty running script.
Mi Fu, styled Yuanzhang, was a person from the Song Dynasty. Mi Fu's running script has many surviving ink traces, characterized by boldness and diversity. The transitions between strokes are fluid, with a natural flow of ink from thick to thin, creating endless variations. This series of books selects multiple works of Mi Fu's running script, revealing his heroic spirit amidst extraordinary elegance.
Since running script follows natural principles, the structure of characters in a work varies, sometimes large or small, long or short, curved or straight, square or round, tilted or slanted. This series of books applies a certain proportion of enlargement to each work, so the characters still differ in size. This is specially noted.