Zhao Mengzhao Running Script

Author: China Book Publishing House
Publisher:
Publish Date: 1999-01-01
Features: Practicing calligraphy requires learning from stone inscriptions as a necessary step. Learning stone inscriptions involves two aspects: reading them and writing them, which can be alternated repeatedly. Reading involves identifying strokes, structure, and layout by studying the inscriptions, preparing for writing. Writing, on the other hand, includes copying and tracing. Collectively known as "copying and tracing." Copying and tracing inscriptions means imitating the strokes, structure, and layout of the characters. When copying, one should first write by comparing with the original. This is called "direct copying." After mastering direct copying, one can write the characters entirely from memory without looking at the original, which is called "back copying." Once back copying is proficient, it indicates that the study of the inscription has reached a certain stage. Copying inscriptions can be done in several ways: tracing red ink, shadow writing, and outlining. It is recommended that learners of stone inscriptions combine reading with copying and tracing. Moreover, copying and tracing can be combined using a three-step method: Step 1: Directly copy the inscription once; Step 2: Trace the same inscription once, which can reveal errors from Step 1; Step 3: Directly copy the same inscription again to correct the errors discovered in Step 2. This method is very helpful for improving calligraphy efficiency.
Zhao Mengfu, styled Ziyang, was known as the "Snow Cypress Immortal" and served as the Academician of the Imperial Academy and the Chief Scholar of the Hanlin Academy during the reign of Emperor Zongzhu of the Yuan Dynasty. He was posthumously honored as the Duke of Wei and posthumously titled Wenmin. Zhao Mengfu was a man of profound knowledge, excelling in law, economy, justice, literature, music, calligraphy, and painting. He was particularly skilled in calligraphy. The History of the Yuan Dynasty records: "Zhao Mengfu excelled in all scripts— Seal, Clerical, Cursive, Running, and Regular—surpassing all ancient and modern calligraphers, earning fame for his calligraphy." His early calligraphy was influenced by Emperor Zhenzong, and later he studied under Zhong You. His calligraphy demonstrated mastery in structure, with smooth, elegant, and refined brushwork. He transformed the calligraphy of the Song Dynasty, and his copying skills were comparable to Mi Fu, who was renowned for collecting ancient calligraphy. As the leader of Yuan Dynasty calligraphy, he integrated the ancient methods of the Jin and Tang dynasties and mastered all scripts—Seal, Clerical, Cursive, Running, and Regular. He was especially renowned for his Running and Regular scripts.
Zhao Mengfu's Thirteen Annotations on the Orchid Pavilion Preface, Jue Wen Shu, and Poem on Repeated Peaks in Smoking River are among his masterpieces, where his brushwork was skillful, the rhythm was seamless, the structure was graceful, and the spirit was captivating.