The Eight Principles of the Yong Character - Lectures on Calligraphy Art (Illustrated Treasure Edition) (Revised Version)

Author: Zhou Ruchang
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-03-01
Features: Confucius said: "Reviewing the old enables one to learn the new." But if one does not even know the old, where can the new come from? The art of calligraphy follows the same principle. Chinese character calligraphy has a long history, with generations of masters emerging over thousands of years. The profound truths they discovered and the principles they created must not be abandoned—this is the "old." Only by understanding these principles can one speak of learning and innovation. For example, the Eight Principles of the Yong character—side (pi), press (le), draw (nu), flick (ti), tap (ce), sweep (lüe), peck (zhuo), and split (zhe)—are indeed the basic brush techniques of Chinese character calligraphy. While they cannot fully encompass all brush techniques, they are quite representative. This book takes these as its starting point to explore Chinese calligraphy. Mr. Zhou Ruchang once claimed to have dedicated more effort to the study of "calligraphy" than to the study of the Red Chamber. This book begins with Q&A for beginners and progresses to brushwork, techniques, and the study of calligraphy, interspersed with anecdotes of famous calligraphers. These are lectures in name, but in reality, they summarize Mr. Zhou's lifelong dedication to calligraphy. The book is divided into three parts: Upper, Middle, and Lower. The Upper Part, "Q&A," explains the fundamental essence, knowledge, and significance of Chinese calligraphy in a simple and concise Q&A format, also covering model texts and various brush techniques. The target audience is young calligraphy enthusiasts and learners. The Middle Part, "Specific Discussions," is a detailed analysis of calligraphy literature, tracing its roots and correcting certain erroneous concepts about Chinese character calligraphy from a theoretical perspective. The Lower Part, "Comprehensive Discussions," consists of individual essays that are interconnected, full of original insights, and distill key principles, offering new research topics and revelations for those with a deeper understanding of calligraphy. The book is richly illustrated, combining rigorous exploration with liveliness. Mr. Zhou Ruchang believed that the principles and rules of calligraphy created and accumulated by masters over thousands of years must not be abandoned and must be studied earnestly. Therefore, he devoted more effort to the study of "calligraphy" than to the study of the Red Chamber. This book is Mr. Zhou's lecture notes on calligraphy and is essential reading for anyone passionate about Chinese calligraphy. The book is divided into three parts: Upper, Middle, and Lower. The Upper Part, "Q&A," explains the fundamental essence, knowledge, and significance of Chinese calligraphy in a simple and concise Q&A format, also covering model texts and various brush techniques. The target audience is young calligraphy enthusiasts and learners. The Middle Part, "Specific Discussions," is a detailed analysis of calligraphy literature, tracing its roots and correcting certain erroneous concepts about Chinese character calligraphy from a theoretical perspective. The Lower Part, "Comprehensive Discussions," consists of individual essays that are interconnected, full of original insights, and distill key principles, offering new research topics and revelations for those with a deeper understanding of calligraphy. The book is richly illustrated, combining rigorous exploration with liveliness.