China Calligraphy/The Scholar-Gentry

Calligraphy:

China is one of the world’s oldest ongoing civilizations and it’s well-known for many beautiful forms of art including silk painting, pottery, kite making, paper cutting for example. But it is calligraphy that stands out, likely because the words evolved from pictures. • Calligraphy, Chinese writing, has been practiced for over 3,000 years. • It is recognized as the ultimate artistic expression, requiring years of training, discipline and dedication • It is an art of performance, but not until rigorous defined requirements have been fulfilled. Fundamentals must be mastered and brush stroke techniques must be learned. Only then can individual interpretation hold sway. • The first 1600 years or so, Chinese writing went through many revisions, from pictographic forms to simpler abstract representations. • First, the writing was done on stone, metal or bone; next bamboo or wood. • When paper evolved as the preferred writing material, the fully independent art form developed (second century A.C.E.).

• The following graphic shows the styles:

• Today all styles are still practiced, each allowing for artistic interpretation. • In China today, calligraphy is perhaps the most important art form.

Mao Zedong and Calligraphy

Chairman Mao was known to be a master of calligraphy and poetry, and while the Great Leap Forward and the Cultural Revolution showed disdain for the past and the

educated elite, he was well-respected for his skill and talent as a calligrapher and his poems. Many are on display at the National Museum of China.

The Scholar-Gentry:

The scholar-official was a civil servant appointed by the emperor to perform day-to- day governance from the Han Dynasty to the end of Qing Dynasty in 1912 (about 400 years). They were chosen from the scholar-gentry who were thoroughly trained in the art of calligraphy and Confucian texts. • Scholar-gentry—Those who were not chosen as scholar-officials were a kind of social leader who taught and oversaw community projects, preached Confucian moral teachings, etc. They also were scribes, thus the Scholar’s Desk exhibit we have at the JSMA. • They underwent a serious course of study, wrote essays on moral issues and current affairs. • They mastered the difficult Chinese writing—calligraphy • They had high social status, prestige and power. • A meritocracy developed allowing for social mobility to the best students Those who excelled at the study of the Confucian texts, etc had honor, power and prestige. • However, abuse of power and corruption commonly occurred once the scholar- gentry had passed their exams and had their future assured.

Scholar’s Tools:

• Brushes—various sizes from animal hair (goat, rabbit, weasel) • Ink stick— graphite, vermillion, soot • Inkstone—ink is ground into powder on the stone and mixed with liquid in the well of the stone • Paper—parchment • Libation cups (sometimes!)—there were often social gatherings where transcribing or creating was done and drinking occurred. Some experts point to noticing when the scholar became intoxicated from the subtle change in the hand in his work. • Weights—often jade, to hold the parchment paper flat.