Chinese Calligraphy: Calligraphy of the Southern and Northern Dynasties Period
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Inscription by Nui Jue Commemorating the Creation of a Buddhist Statue, Stele: Northern Wei dynasty, dated 495 (Taihe 19), (Gift of Mr. Imaizumi Yusaku)
Asian Gallery (Toyokan) Room 8
April 14, 2015 (Tue) - June 7, 2015 (Sun)From 439 to 589, China was divided into southern and northern dynasties. The southern dynasties were ruled by Han Chinese, who were native to their lands, and those in the north, by outsiders who had conquered Chinese territories.
There were four successive dynasties in the south, and their peak was the reign of Emperor Wu of the Liang, which lasted for 48 years. The refined calligraphic styles of Wang Xizhi (307–365) and his son, Wang Xianzhi (344–388), were passed down through these dynasties. The five northern dynasties also rose and fell over the decades. The official Yang Jian inherited the title of emperor from the last of these and unified all of China in 589 under the new Sui dynasty, bringing an end of the Southern and Northern Dynasties period.Current exhibit includes:
Record of the Creation of Niu Jue's Buddhist Statue, China, Stele: Northern Wei dynasty, dated 495, (Gift of Mr. Imaizumi Yusaku)
Record of the Creation of Wei Lingzang's Buddhist Statue, China, Stele: Northern Wei dynasty, 5th century (Gift of Mr. Imaizumi Yusaku)
Record of the Creation of Yang Dayan's Buddhist Statue, China, Stele: Northern Wei dynasty, 6th century, (Gift of Mr. Imaizumi Yusaku)