Grottoes of the Sui and Tang Dynasties - Chu Suiliang's "Sacred Teachings on the Big Wild Goose Pagoda"

Author: Chu Suiliang
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2001-01-01
Features: The Holy Teaching Inscription on the Yan Ta Pagoda is also known as The Holy Teaching Inscription at Ci'en Temple, consisting of two stone slabs. The front stone slab bears the full title The Holy Teaching Inscription of the Great Tang Emperor Taizong, written by Emperor Taizong Li Shimin of the Tang Dynasty and inscribed by Chu Suiliang in the 12th month of the Yonghui era (653). It is in regular script, with 20 lines, each containing 40 characters. Both stone slabs are located beneath the Great Yan Ta Pagoda at Ci'en Temple in Xi'an, Shaanxi.
Chu Suiliang (569–648), styled Dengshan, was a native of Qiantang, Hangzhou, during the Kaihuang era of Emperor Wen of Sui (586–604). During Emperor Taizong's reign, he served as a counselor, concurrently overseeing the compilation of imperial chronicles, and later as the Chief Secretary of the Secretariat. Under Emperor Gaozong, he was enfeoffed as the Count of Henan and later promoted to the Duke of Henan, earning the title Chu Henan. He was later appointed Minister of Personnel, Supervisor of the Compilation of the National History, and Vice Minister of State Affairs. However, he was exiled for opposing Emperor Gaozong's decision to appoint Wu Zetian as empress.
His calligraphy initially drew inspiration from the styles of Shi Ling and Ouyang Xun, later studying under Yu Shinan. He traced his artistic lineage back to the Two Wangs (Wang Xizhi and Wang Xianzhi) of the Eastern Jin Dynasty, while also incorporating elements of Han dynasty clerical script. By blending classical techniques with innovative approaches, he developed a distinctive style characterized by elegance, fluency, and diverse variations, ultimately establishing his own unique school. Chu Suiliang was a highly influential calligrapher in later generations.