Chinese Calligraphy

Shūfă—The Way of Writing Chinese calligraphy is widely practiced and revered in East Asia. It is called Shūf ǎ in Chinese, literally means "the way of writing." Chinese calligraphy is widely practiced and revered in East Asia. It is called Shūf ǎ in Chinese, literally means "the way of writing." But Chinese calligraphy is not only written characters. It is also a pursuit of beauty. Those who writes “ beautiful ” characters are respected. In this way, Chinese calligraphy is also considered an art and is appreciated for their aesthetic qualities. But Chinese calligraphy is not only written characters. It is also a pursuit of beauty. Those who writes “ beautiful ” characters are respected. In this way, Chinese calligraphy is also considered an art and is appreciated for their aesthetic qualities.

The Ink Brush The ink brush is the traditional writing implement of Chinese calligraphy. The body of the brush is usually bamboo, The head of the brush can be made from the hair (or feathers) of a wide variety of animals, including the weasel, rabbit, deer, chicken, goat, tiger, wolf, etc … The ink brush is the traditional writing implement of Chinese calligraphy. The body of the brush is usually bamboo, The head of the brush can be made from the hair (or feathers) of a wide variety of animals, including the weasel, rabbit, deer, chicken, goat, tiger, wolf, etc …

The Ink Brush There is also a tradition in China of making a brush using the hair of a newborn, as a once-in- a-lifetime souvenir for the child. This practice is associated with the legend of an ancient Chinese scholar who scored first in the Imperial examinations by using such a personalized brush. Calligraphy brushes are widely considered an extension of the calligrapher's arm. There is also a tradition in China of making a brush using the hair of a newborn, as a once-in- a-lifetime souvenir for the child. This practice is associated with the legend of an ancient Chinese scholar who scored first in the Imperial examinations by using such a personalized brush. Calligraphy brushes are widely considered an extension of the calligrapher's arm.

Four Treasures of the Study The ink brush The ink brush The ink The ink The paper The paper The inkstone The inkstone

We put some fresh water in the “ well, ” and we drag water to the “ plain, ” and scrub the stick on the stone. We continue this until the water becomes dark enough. We put some fresh water in the “ well, ” and we drag water to the “ plain, ” and scrub the stick on the stone. We continue this until the water becomes dark enough.

When we are about to write, we put paperweights to keep the paper from slipping. And traditionally, Chinese calligraphy is written in column, written straight down, from right to left. And when finish writing, we have a signiture here, and we put a stamp. When we are about to write, we put paperweights to keep the paper from slipping. And traditionally, Chinese calligraphy is written in column, written straight down, from right to left. And when finish writing, we have a signiture here, and we put a stamp.

Calligraphic works are usually completed by the calligrapher putting his or her seal at the very end, in red ink. The seal serves the function of a signature. Calligraphic works are usually completed by the calligrapher putting his or her seal at the very end, in red ink. The seal serves the function of a signature.

Different Script Styles There are several different styles. The four characters are the same word, which means “horse.” But you can see that they look pretty different. There are several different styles. The four characters are the same word, which means “horse.” But you can see that they look pretty different. Lìshū style (clerical script) Lìshū style (clerical script) Căoshū style (cursive/grass script) Căoshū style (cursive/grass script) Xíngshū style (semi-cursive/running style) Xíngshū style (semi-cursive/running style) Kăishū style (traditional regular script) Kăishū style (traditional regular script)

Lanting Xu by Wang Xizhi ( )

Mi Fu,

Let ’ s watch a video, so that you may get a better picture of the Chinese calligraphy. Let ’ s watch a video, so that you may get a better picture of the Chinese calligraphy.

Answer the Questions Question number 1: What is the body of the ink brush usually made of? (A) Plastic. (B) Paper. (C) Bamboo. Answer: C

Question number 2: The ink brush, the ink, the paper, and the inkstone are called ____________. (A) the way of writing (B) four Treasures of the Study (C) four styles of writing Answer: B

Question number 3: We write the Chinese calligraphy _____. (A) from left to right (B) straight down, from right to left (C) straight down, from left to right Answer: B

Question number 4: What is put on the paper when finish writing? (A) A red seal. (B) An ink stick. (C) A paperweight. Answer: A

Question number 5: Which is true ? (A) Chinese calligraphy has only one script style. (B) Chinese people use the newborn-hair brush as a gift for their spouse. (C) The calligraphy brush is considered an extension of the calligrapher's arm. Answer: C

Try It! 福 福 Do you know what this is?

Here we have some red pieces of paper. And you can try to write this word, 福, which means luck. During the Chinese New Year, We write this word and paste it up side down on the door. Do you know why? Because the word for up side down in Chinese sounds exactly the same as the word for coming. So we paste this word up side down to wish for good luck to come. You can try to write this, and take it home and paste it to your door. Here we have some red pieces of paper. And you can try to write this word, 福, which means luck. During the Chinese New Year, We write this word and paste it up side down on the door. Do you know why? Because the word for up side down in Chinese sounds exactly the same as the word for coming. So we paste this word up side down to wish for good luck to come. You can try to write this, and take it home and paste it to your door.

Thank You !