Song Zhao Ji Zhao Thousand Characters Wen Nong Fang Shi

Author: Editorial Group of "Selected Calligraphic Works from Ancient Inscriptions and Manuscripts"
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 1998-10-01
Features: "Zhenshu Qianziwen and Nongfang Poem by Zhao Ji of the Song Dynasty"
Zhao Ji, known for his personal passion, extensively collected ancient artifacts, calligraphy, and paintings during his reign, expanding the Hanlin Painting and Calligraphy Academy. He commissioned scholars to compile works such as the "Xuanhe Shupu" (Xuanhe Calligraphy Spectrum), "Xuanhe Huapu" (Xuanhe Painting Spectrum), and "Xuanhe Bogutu" (Xuanhe Ancient Art Spectrum). His calligraphy, influenced by Tang Dynasty calligrapher Xue Ji, developed a unique style, which he called "Shoujin Shu" (Thin Gold Script).
Zhao Ji, also known as Emperor Huizong of the Song Dynasty, was born in the fifth year of the Yuanfeng era (1082 AD) of the Northern Song Dynasty and died in the fifth year of the Shaoxing era (1135 AD) of the Southern Song Dynasty, at the age of fifty-four. In the seventh year of the Xuanhe era, the Jin forces invaded, and he passed the throne to Zhao Huan.
Zhao Ji, driven by his personal passion, extensively collected ancient artifacts, calligraphy, and paintings during his reign, expanding the Hanlin Painting and Calligraphy Academy. He commissioned scholars to compile works such as the "Xuanhe Shupu" (Xuanhe Calligraphy Spectrum), "Xuanhe Huapu" (Xuanhe Painting Spectrum), and "Xuanhe Bogutu" (Xuanhe Ancient Art Spectrum). His calligraphy, influenced by Tang Dynasty calligrapher Xue Ji, developed a unique style, which he called "Shoujin Shu" (Thin Gold Script).
The "Qianziwen" scroll is written in small-character regular script, with a slender, strong, and upright style, making it a treasured autograph by Zhao Ji. At the end of the scroll, he inscribed: "Written in the Xuanhe Palace during the Geng year of the Chongning era (1104 AD), a gift to Tong Guan." The Geng year corresponds to the third year of the Chongning era (1104 AD), when Zhao Ji was twenty-three years old. The original manuscript had ten characters per line, but to maintain the original size of the characters, it is now mounted with eight characters per line. The original is now preserved in the Shanghai Museum.
The "Nongfang Poem" scroll is written in large-character regular script, with two characters per line, totaling twenty lines. The calligraphy exhibits a free and unrestrained structure with strong and vigorous brushwork. The original is now preserved in the Taipei Palace Museum.
Both the "Qianziwen" and "Nongfang Poem" are written in "Shoujin Shu" (Thin Gold Script), but they exhibit different styles. They are now combined into one volume and published in a photolithographic edition for the reference and practice of calligraphy enthusiasts.