Chinese Chinese CalligraphyCalligraphy

Shūfă—The Way of WritingShūfă—The Way of Writing

ChineseChinese calligraphy is widely practiced calligraphy is widely practiced and revered in East Asia. It is called and revered in East Asia. It is called ShūfǎShūfǎ in Chinese, literally means "the in Chinese, literally means "the way of writing." way of writing."

But Chinese calligraphy is not only But Chinese calligraphy is not only written characters. It is also a pursuit of written characters. It is also a pursuit of beauty. Those who writes “beautiful” beauty. Those who writes “beautiful” characters are respected. In this way, characters are respected. In this way, Chinese calligraphy is also considered an Chinese calligraphy is also considered an art and is appreciated for their aesthetic art and is appreciated for their aesthetic qualities.qualities.

The Ink BrushThe Ink Brush The ink brush is the traditional The ink brush is the traditional

writing implement of Chinese writing implement of Chinese calligraphy. The body of the brush calligraphy. The body of the brush is usually bamboo, The head of the is usually bamboo, The head of the brush can be made from the hair brush can be made from the hair (or feathers) of a wide variety of (or feathers) of a wide variety of animals, including the weasel, animals, including the weasel, rabbit, deer, chicken, goat, tiger, rabbit, deer, chicken, goat, tiger, wolf, etc…wolf, etc…

The Ink BrushThe Ink Brush

There is also a tradition in China of There is also a tradition in China of making a brush using the hair of a making a brush using the hair of a newborn, as a once-in-a-lifetime newborn, as a once-in-a-lifetime souvenir for the child. This practice is souvenir for the child. This practice is associated with the legend of an ancient associated with the legend of an ancient Chinese scholar who scored first in the Chinese scholar who scored first in the Imperial examinations by using such a Imperial examinations by using such a personalized brush. Calligraphy brushes personalized brush. Calligraphy brushes are widely considered an extension of are widely considered an extension of the calligrapher's arm.the calligrapher's arm.

Four Treasures of the Four Treasures of the StudyStudy

The ink brushThe ink brush The inkThe ink The paperThe paper The inkstoneThe inkstone

We put some fresh water in the We put some fresh water in the “well,” and we drag water to the “well,” and we drag water to the “plain,” and scrub the stick on the “plain,” and scrub the stick on the stone. We continue this until the stone. We continue this until the water becomes dark enough.water becomes dark enough.

When we are about to write, we put When we are about to write, we put paperweights to keep the paper paperweights to keep the paper from slipping. And traditionally, from slipping. And traditionally, Chinese calligraphy is written in Chinese calligraphy is written in column, written straight down, column, written straight down, from right to left. And when finish from right to left. And when finish writing, we have a signiture here, writing, we have a signiture here, and we put a stamp.and we put a stamp.

Calligraphic works are usually Calligraphic works are usually completed by the calligrapher completed by the calligrapher putting his or her seal at the very putting his or her seal at the very end, in red ink. The seal serves the end, in red ink. The seal serves the function of a signature.function of a signature.

Different Script StylesDifferent Script Styles

There are several different styles. The four characters There are several different styles. The four characters are the same word, which means “horse.” But you are the same word, which means “horse.” But you can see that they look pretty different. can see that they look pretty different.

LìshLìshū style (clerical script)ū style (clerical script)

Căoshū style (cursive/grass script)Căoshū style (cursive/grass script)

Xíngshū style (semi-cursive/running style)Xíngshū style (semi-cursive/running style)

Kăishū style (traditional regular script)Kăishū style (traditional regular script)

Lanting XuLanting Xu by Wang Xizhi (336-3 by Wang Xizhi (336-384)84)

Mi Fu, 1051-1107Mi Fu, 1051-1107

Let’s watch a video, so that you may Let’s watch a video, so that you may get a better picture of the Chinese get a better picture of the Chinese calligraphy.calligraphy.

Answer the QuestionsAnswer the Questions

Question number 1:Question number 1: What is the body of the ink brush usually What is the body of the ink brush usually

made of? made of?

(A) Plastic. (A) Plastic.

(B) Paper. (B) Paper.

(C) Bamboo.(C) Bamboo. Answer: CAnswer: C

Question number 2: Question number 2: The ink brush, the ink, the paper, The ink brush, the ink, the paper,

and the inkstone are called and the inkstone are called ____________. ____________.

(A) the way of writing (A) the way of writing

(B) four Treasures of the Study(B) four Treasures of the Study

(C) four styles of writing(C) four styles of writing Answer: BAnswer: B

Question number 3:Question number 3: We write the Chinese calligraphy We write the Chinese calligraphy

_____. _____.

(A) from left to right(A) from left to right

(B) straight down, from right to left(B) straight down, from right to left

(C) straight down, from left to right(C) straight down, from left to right Answer: BAnswer: B

Question number 4:Question number 4: What is put on the paper when What is put on the paper when

finish writing? finish writing?

(A) A red seal. (A) A red seal.

(B) An ink stick. (B) An ink stick.

(C) A paperweight.(C) A paperweight. Answer: AAnswer: A

Question number 5: Question number 5: Which is true ? Which is true ?

(A) Chinese calligraphy has only one (A) Chinese calligraphy has only one script style.script style.

(B) Chinese people use the newborn-hair (B) Chinese people use the newborn-hair

brush as a gift for their spouse. brush as a gift for their spouse.

(C) The calligraphy brush is considered (C) The calligraphy brush is considered an an

extension of the calligrapher's arm.extension of the calligrapher's arm. Answer: CAnswer: C

Try It!Try It!

福福Do you know what this is?

Here we have some red pieces of Here we have some red pieces of paper. And you can try to write this paper. And you can try to write this word, word, 福福 , which means luck. During , which means luck. During the Chinese New Year, We write this the Chinese New Year, We write this word and paste it up side down on the word and paste it up side down on the door. Do you know why? Because the door. Do you know why? Because the word for up side down in Chinese word for up side down in Chinese sounds exactly the same as the word sounds exactly the same as the word for coming. So we paste this word up for coming. So we paste this word up side down to wish for good luck to side down to wish for good luck to come. You can try to write this, and come. You can try to write this, and take it home and paste it to your door. take it home and paste it to your door.

Thank You !Thank You !