Yan Zhenqing and the Calligraphy of the Tang Dynasty
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Inscription on Stele of Pagoda at Qianfusi Temple (detail), By Yan Zhenqing, Tang dynasty, dated 752 (Gift of Mr. Takashima Kikujiro)
Asian Gallery (Toyokan) Room 8
December 1, 2015 (Tue) - January 31, 2016 (Sun)The four great calligraphers of this dynasty – Ouyang Xun, Yu Shinan, Chu Suiliang, and Yan Zhenqing – modeled their styles after Wang Xizhi while adding a kind of refinement characteristic of the Tang. Even today, numerous individuals practice the beautiful standard scripts created by these calligraphers.
2015 marks the 1230th anniversary of Yan Zhenqing’s death. This 13th collaborative exhibition between the Tokyo National Museum and the Taito City Calligraphy Museum introduces beautiful works of the Tang, during which calligraphy was at a zenith. These include, first and foremost, works by Yan Zhenqing, in addition to ink rubbings by famous Tang calligraphers, copies of Buddhist sutras created by the best transcribers of the imperial court and later excavated from the Mogao Grottoes, as well as privately-created transcriptions.
Current exhibit includes:
Myoho renge kyo (Lotus Sutra), Vol. 2, Tang dynasty, dated 675 (Lent by the Mitsui Memorial Museum, Tokyo, On exhibit from January 2, 2016)
Daihokobutsu kegon kyo (Avatamsaka sutra), Tang dynasty, 8th century (Important Cultural Property, Lent by the Kyoto National Museum, Kyoto, On exhibit through December 13, 2015)
Inscription on Stele of Huadusi Temple, By Ouyang Xun, Tang dynasty, dated 631 (Important Cultural Property, Lent by the Otani University Museum, Kyoto, On exhibit through December 23, 2015)
Inscription on Stele at Sweet Spring near Jiucheng Palace, By Ouyang Xun, Tang dynasty, dated 632 (Private collection, On exhibit through December 15, 2015)
Inscription on Stele of Longmen Grottoes, By Chu Suiliang, Tang dynasty, dated 641 (Lent by the Mitsui Memorial Museum, Tokyo, On exhibit through December 23, 2015)
Inscription on Stele Commemorating the Passing of Nun Meng, By Chu Suiliang, Tang dynasty, dated 642 (Lent by the Mitsui Memorial Museum, Tokyo, On exhibit from January 2, 2016)
Inscription on Stele Recording the Achievements of Taoist Immortal Magu, By Yan Zhenqing, Tang dynasty, dated 771 (Gift of Mr. Takashima Kikujiro)