Huai Su Xiao Cao Qian Zi Wen

Author: Ji Lin
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-01-01
Features: Huai Su, born in the 13th year of the Kaiyuan era of Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty (725 AD), died in the first year of the Zhenyuan era of Emperor Dezong of the Tang Dynasty (785 AD), at the age of 61. His courtesy name was Zangzhen, and his common surname was Qian. He was from Changsha and became a monk in his childhood. Huai Su had a strong interest in calligraphy from a young age and diligently studied it in his spare time after meditating. Due to a lack of money to buy paper, he planted many banana trees near the temple and used banana leaves as paper to practice calligraphy. He named his studio "Lüti'an." Through long-term diligent study and research, he accumulated a pile of worn-out brushes, which he buried at the foot of the mountain and named it "Brush Tomb." Nearby was a small pond where the ink water often turned black, named "Ink Pool." Huai Su loved to drink alcohol. Whenever he was inspired by drinking, he would write freely on walls, clothes, and utensils, earning him the nickname "Drunk Monk." He was one of the greatest cursive calligraphers after Zhang Xu in the Tang Dynasty, and the two were collectively known as "Mad Zhang and Drunk Huai." His cursive calligraphy was influenced by Zhang Zhi and Zhang Xu. In the "Reading Review" by Lu Zong of the Tang Dynasty, it was said: "Huai Su's cursive calligraphy is like drawing with a hairpin and lightning, changing with every stroke." In the "Reading Cutting" by Zhu Changwen of the Song Dynasty, Huai Su's calligraphy was listed as a masterpiece and described as "like a strong man drawing a sword, captivating with its spirit." The "Small Cursive Thousand Characters," on silk with black ink traces, was written by Huai Su in the 15th year of the Zhenyuan era (799 AD). Huai Su wrote dozens of versions of the "Thousand Characters," but only four have been passed down: the "Dali Version," the "Lüti'an Version," the "Xi'an Version," and the "Zhenyuan Version," with the "Zhenyuan Version" being the best. In the Ming Dynasty, Yao Gongshou once praised this piece as "worth a thousand gold per character," hence it is also known as the "Thousand Gold Scroll." This scroll is on silk and contains 84 lines and 1,045 characters, written by Huai Su in his later years. The entire scroll is neither erratic nor frantic, neither rushed nor restless, with a clear and elegant temperament, and strictly follows the rules, with uniform character sizes. At first glance, it seems carefree, but in reality, every stroke adheres to the rules, pursuing simplicity and elegance. It can be said to have reached the realm of perfect harmony between the person and the calligraphy, with mastery like a well-burned furnace. In the "Chonglan Collection" by Mo Ruozhong of the Ming Dynasty, it was said: "The true silk scroll of Huai Su's 'Thousand Characters' has transformations in its strokes and unrestrained ingenuity. At first, it seems thoughtless, yet every movement follows the norms, aligning with the craftsmanship of nature, and is indescribably marvelous."