◀ Xianzhi Comprehensive index starts in volume 5, page 2667.

WANG Xizhi Wang Xizhī ​王羲之 303?–379? ce Calligrapher

Wang Xizhi 王羲之, referred to as the “Saint Following the Confucian tradition, Wang received a of Calligraphy” in , was the author of military position at court as general of the right. However, the famous Lantingjixu 兰亭集序 or Preface his real interest lay in art, especially the calligraphy by to the Orchid Pavilion Gathering. A rare tal- which he was known. When young, he had practiced cal- ligraphy with a female master named Madam Wei (272–​ ent who was adept to almost all calligraphic 349 ce). Later he perfected nearly all calligraphic styles, styles, Wang was an inspiration to past and such as standard (kai), running (xing), and cursive (cao), present calligraphers and connoisseurs. and became known as the “the saint of calligraphy.” His most famous work was the “Preface to the Orchid Pavil- ion Gathering” (Lantingji Xu), done on the third day of ang Xizhi (also known as “Wang Shaoyi”) was the third month in 353 ce when he and about forty scholar born during the politically chaotic Jin dynasty, friends met together in the Orchid Pavilion in , ( 2 6 5 – ​4 2 0 ce) part of the North and South dynas- Province, to celebrate the Spring Festival. After ties period (220–589​ ce). During this unsettled period mem- most of his friends wrote poems for the occasion, Wang, bers of the Wang family of calligraphers and literati moved intoxicated by alcohol, added a preface written in the run- from their native area in Province and relocated ning script. The calligraphy he did that day was outstand- to Zhejiang Province in the south. Wang’s father, who came ing, and the brushstrokes were often described as“longwo from a line of respected calligraphers, was a minor court of- hutiao” or “Leaning Dragon and Leaping Tiger.” Wang ficial and the first calligraphy teacher of his son. tried to copy it afterward, but he could never achieve that As Wang grew he proved to be a man of character. ease and style again. This particular work was such a trea- One anecdote tells of how he was chosen to be the ­son-​ sure to connoisseurs that the (618–​907 ce) ­in-law of Commander Shi. The latter announced that an emperor, Li Shimin (Taizong, reigned 626–​649 ce), who interview would be conducted in the prime minister’s obtained the original after much difficulty, ordered it to residence to select the right man for his daughter. Young be buried with him at death. men of letters flocked to the palace dressed in their best Other famous pieces by Wang include “Essay on Yue clothes. Wang, not anxious to please, arrived late in casual I,” dated 348 ce in standard script, and “Three Passages of clothing. He managed to find a seat near a bed. Because of Calligraphy: Pingan, Heru and Fengju” and “Short Note of the heat, he untied his belt and bared his abdomen. Such a Sunny Day after a Pleasant Snow,” both in running script. behavior marked him as different from the rest, and he left Out of the thousands of Wang’s calligraphic pieces, only a an impression of spontaneity on those who were present. small fraction survived, thanks to the traced copies, stone When Shi heard this report, he decided to give Wang his engravings, ink rubbings, and hand copies by later callig- daughter’s hand. raphy masters. For more than a thousand years Wang’s 2409 W © 2009 by Berkshire Publishing Group LLC 2410 Berkshire Encyclopedia of China 宝 库 山 中 华 全 书

Calligraphy by Wang Xizhi, father and first teacher of master cal- ligrapher Wang Xianzhi. Father and son were called the “two Wangs” of this revered form. calligraphy has been used as the example for all who prac- Further Reading tice this art. He and his son, Wang Xianzhi (344–​388 ce), Ecke, T. Y. (1971). . Boston: David R. are called the “two Wangs” in Chinese calligraphy. Godine Publishers. Wang, disillusioned by the political upheaval of his Harrist, R. E., Jr., & Fong, Wen C. (1999). The embod- era, retired early at the age of ­forty-​­nine and switched ied image: Chinese calligraphy from the John B. Elliot to ­neo-​­Daoism to pursue a life of simplicity and peace. collection. Princeton, NJ: Art Museum, Princeton Three stories of his death are told. The first is that he died University. of an illness at age ­fifty-​­nine. Another claims that Wang Hsu, ­K.-​­Y. (Trans.). (n.d.). A reproduction of the ­Lan-​ was executed by the emperor when he refused to come to ­T’ing calligraphy scroll by Wang ­Hsi-​­chih (321–​379). court. The last one, which most critics feel is valid, tells Taipei,Taiwan: China Color Printing. of Wang’s pursuit of immortality by way of alchemy and Ou Shaoyou. (Ed.). (1990). The biography of Wang Xizhi. his subsequent death by poison. Taipei, Taiwan: Kezu Publishers. Zhao Lengyue. (Ed.). (1993). Ten calligraphers. Taipei, Fatima WU Taiwan: World Cultures Publishers.

China changes constantly, and the Encyclopedia of 閒談​ China will change and grow, too. Berkshire’s authors chat and editors welcome questions, comments, and correc- tions: [email protected].

Wang Yangming School ▶

© 2009 by Berkshire Publishing Group LLC