Chinese Calligraphy: Calligraphy of the Han Dynasties
-
Inscription on Yi Ying Bei Stele, China, Inscription: Eastern Han dynasty, dated 153 (Gift of Mr. Takashima Kikujiro)
Asian Gallery (Toyokan) Room 8
April 24, 2018 (Tue) - June 24, 2018 (Sun)Clerical script was a new style which developed during the 400 years from the Western Han (206 BC–8 AD) to the Eastern Han (25 BC–220 AD) dynasty, having been derived from the seal script of the Qin dynasty. By the time of the reign of Emperors Huan (146–167) and Ling (168–189), clerical script was completed into a style based on strong horizontal and vertical brushwork distinguished by elegant beginning and ending strokes. Many masterpieces of steles were made using clerical script. This exhibition focuses on ink rubbings from steles that were widely made during the Eastern Han dynasty, to introduce the evolution of clerical script.
Current exhibit includes:
Inscription on Stone of Mount Shaoshi, Songshan, China, Inscription: Eastern Han dynasty, dated 123
Inscription on Lu Xiao Wang Stone Tablet, China, Inscription: Western Han dynasty, dated 56 BC (Gift of Mr. Imaizumi Yusaku)
Inscription on Lai Zi Hou Stone Tablet, China, Inscription: Xin dynasty, dated 16
Inscription on Yi Ying Bei Stele, China, Inscription: Eastern Han dynasty, dated 153 (Gift of Mr. Takashima Kikujiro)
Inscription on Li Qi Bei Stele, China, Inscription: Eastern Han dynasty, dated 156 (Gift of Mr. Takashima Kikujiro)