On The Revival Of The Yuan Dynasty Zhangcao

Zhangcao, one of Chinese calligraghy styles, originating in Xihan Dynasty, flourishing in Donghan Dynasty, developed in Yuan Dynasty and neglected in Tang Dynasty, gained its renaissance in Yuan Dynasty. JI JIU ZHANG, written in zhangcao in Xihan, used as an original book, obtained its recognition of scholars in Yuan, which led way to its renaissance. This was a particular phenomenon in the history of Chinese calligraphy.This essay is about JI JIU ZHANG and other works written in zhangcao in Yuan , which uses plenty of original documents. The author analyses and studies the new caoshu that combined zhangcao with kaishu, xingshu, caoshu and other calligraphy styles in Yuan; arranges the transmission of works in zhangcao of all the eras, the backgrounds and aesthetic pursues of the calligraphers in Yuan; and discusses the influence of zhangcao upon the people in Yuan and its contribution.This essay first illustrates the intimate relation between zhangcao and JI JIU ZHANG with the relationship between zhangcao, the text and calligraphies of JI JIU ZHANG. It arranges and classifies the copies in ink and the inscriptions in Song and Yuan, according to the examination of the text of JI JIU ZHANG by Wang Yinglin and Dai Biaoyuan. It also collects the calligraphies of JI JIU ZHANG by calligraphers in Yuan, and examines the original editions, the copies and other relative editions. And then it indicates the rediscovery and the evaluation of the text of JI JIU ZHANG in Yuan. The varieties of calligraphies of JI JIU ZHANG greatly contributed to the renaissance of zhangcao in Yuan.The second, the essay analyses the changes of style and the pursues of form of calligraphies of JI JIU ZHANG, which were written by Zhao Mengfu, Deng Wenyuan, Yuhe and Songke. It indicates that people in Yuan Dynasty also had other ancient copies written in zhangcao besides JI JIU ZHANG, which could be appreciated, collected and copied as models. The emphasis of zhangcao had been an action of collective idea in Yuan. At that time, there came out many new works combined zhangcao, xingshu and caoshu, written by Kangli Naonao, Yang Weizhen and others; SCROLLS IN VARIOUS CALLIGRAPHIES and QIANZIWEN IN VARIOUS CALLIGRAPGIES in the unite form of zhangcao and other calligraphies; and inscriptions on works of calligraphy and painting.Finally, in the view of the experiences of people in Song and Jiandu written in zhangcao of Han, unearthed in the end of Song, the essay indicates that the prosperity of zhangcao in Yuan didn't come out by chance, but with the renaissance of zhuanshu and lishu, and the trend of restoration of old styles through the whole era. Under the condition of variety of national characters, and the background of national recognition of scholars to protect Xiaoxue of the nation of Han in Yuan, the renaissance of zhangcao was to consolidate principle of caoshu in origin by the restoration of zhangcao, which aimed directly at the break up of the principle of xingcao in the end of Song.