Research On The Song Dynasty Emperors’ Callyigraphy

"Chenhan”is the proper name of the emperor’s calligraphy.As a kind of special writing style,it played a subtle role in the political and social activities of Song Dynasty.This can be noticed from many aspects in that time,such as inscriptions in scenic spot and historic sites,plaques in temples,admonitions in government offices and stone inscriptions collected in Yushuge at all levels of educational institutions for people to visit and also in the homes of many officeholders which shows the close relationship between emperors and officials.In a word,the emperor’s calligraphy is more than enjoyment in the art activities but the extension of imperial power.This thesis will focus on the study and explanation of the reason,process and details of this cultural phenomenon and its tremendous cultural significance.This thesis will discuss the function and influence of the operation of the emperor’s calligraphy in the imperial power at Song Dynasty from the perspective of aesthetic sociology and the concrete issues of political,cultural and religious aspect.Meanwhile,it will analyze the social attribute,political function and artistic value of the emperor’s calligraphy which will offer much more empirical evidence about political and cultural history,calligraphy history and many other aspects in Song DynastyThe first two chapters of this thesis will discuss the formation of the emperors’calligraphy from its tradition before Song Dynasty and the culture-emphasized policy at Song Dynasty.It will specially analyze the family inheritance and artistic characteristics of emperor’s calligraphy at Song Dynasty,such as particular study on the source,style and influence of the calligraphy of Emperor Taizong,Emperor Zhenzong,Emperor Huizong and so on.At the same time,this thesis also focuses on popularization and continuance of calligraphy tradition in imperial household at Song Dynasty.And,it also studies on seal character,cursive writing and feibaishu which was the favorite writing style of the imperial household at Song Dynasty and their writing instrument’s influences towards the style of worksThe process of institutionalization and sanctification of Chenhan at Song Dynasty embodied in its collection,enshrine and worship.The imperial household at Song Dynasty has a series of strict rules for the institutionalization of the construction of Yushuge,the policy of emperor’s calligraphy’s collection,means and worship.All of these ensured the nobleness and holiness of Chenhan at Song Dynasty.And the writing ability as a part of individual quality is very important for heir which has specific historical data for evidence.This thesis will discuss the subtle effect about this ability in the throne inheritance at Chapter SixAt some special historical period,Chenhan also takes an active part in the emperor’s political government,such as the Tianshu event at the royal court of Emperor Zhenzong,the relationship between the emperor’s calligraphy of Emperor Gaozong and military-political affairs at the earlier stage of the Southern Song Dynasty.These cases reveal the dependency between the emperors’ calligraphy and imperial power,and fully explain the evolutionary process of the emperors’calligraphy takes part in the emperor’s political government.And the characteristics of this phenomenon also show on the relationship between Buddhism and Taosim as well as the emperor participate in the writing on money template.All of these means the emperor can take part in the religious managements and economic activities through Chenhan,and the emperors’ calligraphy becomes the specific representation of imperial power extension.