Calligraphy Dictionary (Essential)

Author: Shanghai Bookstore Press Editorial
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 1985-09-01
Features: This book is organized by the four types of calligraphy—Regular, Cursive, Clerical, and Seal scripts—as the main categories, with the calligraphies of various dynasties as the secondary categories, compiled into one volume. Among the four types, the Regular script with (upright) strokes is arranged at the beginning, followed by Cursive and Clerical/Seal scripts as supplementary. This arrangement facilitates identification. The book aims for practicality, serving both to recognize calligraphic styles and to practice calligraphy. By using this volume, readers can identify the various calligraphic styles passed down through Chinese history and practice calligraphy in each style. Additionally, apart from the standard characters, it includes colloquial characters and those commonly used in later periods, making it easier to check and cite. Each character in the book is annotated with its source, indicating the calligraphic style and the specific stele or manuscript where it appears. The total number of characters selected in the book is 4,478 in the main text, with a total of 46,675 characters in all styles, focusing on those commonly used in daily life.