Cai Xiang And Calligraphy

Cai Xiang's Style name was Junmo (君谟), and his posthumous name was Zhonghui.(忠惠) . He was born in the Xiangfu reign of the Song dynasty in Xianyou (仙游) county of Xinghua (兴化) prefecture, now Xianyou County in Putian of Fujian Province. His highest rank was Duanmingdian Xueshi, (secretariat Drafter of Duanming Court ) in charge of written communication of imperial government. During his tenure of nearly 37-years-office, he had very good political achievements, noble and exalted moral character and was loyal to his emperor and loved his country and people.Cai Xiang lived a very glamorous life. He was not only a politician, but also poet, calligrapher, scholar-officer, tea expert, bridge- structural engineer and agriculturalist. He had the reputation as the greatest calligrapher in the Song Dynasty, was traditionally designated one of the Four Great Calligraphers of the Northern Song , along with Su Shi, Huang Tingjian and Mi Fu.The thesis starts with elaborating on the topic of Cai Xiang's life experiences and morality from historical culture and social background, then exposits his great calligraphic achievements ,analyzing his variable changeable gorgeous styles based on his early , middle and late term. Finally draws the conclusion of Cai Xiang's historical status and influence to posterity in the art of calligraphy.