Yinwan Han Bamboo Slips: Divine Bird Fu

Author: Jianba Shufa Xuan Biandu Zuzuo
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2000-12-01
Features: The bamboo slip manuscript of "Shenwu Fu" not only features a poignant and moving story with profound implications but also showcases distinctive calligraphic techniques. By the late Western Han Dynasty, the popular clerical script had reached maturity, and the writing of the entire text exhibited a trend of evolving toward clerical-cursive and eight-part scripts. This manuscript also reflects this evolution: the title is written in standard clerical script, while the prose is copied in clerical-cursive script. The brushwork is concise and masterful, combining simplification and connection. The characters shift from square to oblong, with a horizontal emphasis, long serifs, and refined, experienced strokes. The varying thickness of the brushstrokes demonstrates strong artistic impact, making it a representative example of the evolution of clerical-cursive script during the Western Han Dynasty.
We have already published an enlarged photolithographic edition of "Mawangdui Han Tomb Bamboo Slips · Qiance," which presents early clerical script from the early Western Han Dynasty. This enlarged photolithographic edition of "Shenwu Fu" is a work of clerical-cursive script from the late Western Han Dynasty. Our publishing house will continue to release a series of selected calligraphic works from unearthed bamboo slips and silk manuscripts. The goal is to provide a new set of calligraphic models for enthusiasts, enhance their appreciation and study of ancient Chinese calligraphic works, and gain a comprehensive understanding of the history of ancient calligraphic art. This initiative aims to vigorously promote Chinese calligraphy art.