Chinese Calligraphy: Chidu Letters and Writings after Letters
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Writing after Wang Xizhi's Sixiang tie Copybook(detail), By Bao Shichen, Qing dynasty, 19th century (Gift of Mr. Takashima Kikujiro)
Asian Gallery (Toyokan) Room 8
April 23, 2019 (Tue) - June 16, 2019 (Sun)A chidu is a type of Chinese letter. In the Northern and Southern dynasty (439–589), the Southern-dynasty emperors revered the calligraphy of Wang Xizhi and Wang Xianzhi (the Two Wangs), who were calligraphers in the Eastern Jin dynasty (317–420). The emperors collected letters and other documents written in refined running and cursive scripts, thus beginning the first stage of a history of calligraphy centered on the works of Wang Xizhi. From the Song dynasty (960–1279) onward, many copybooks of calligraphy were compiled, starting most notably with the calligraphy compendium, Chun hua ge tie (992), which focused on the calligraphy of the Two Wangs. Through these copybooks, the letters of the Two Wangs and other calligraphers have been appreciated and used as model calligraphy up to the present day. This exhibition features chidu letters from the Song dynasty to the Qing dynasty, as well as Ming- and Qing-dynasty examples of writings after letters in copybooks.
Exhibit includes:
Letters in Cursive Script, By Wen Xin, Ming dynasty, dated 1368 (Gift of Mr. Takashima Kikujiro)
Letter to Wang Shen, By Zhao Lingzhi, Northern Song dynasty, 11th–12th century (Gift of Mr. Takashima Kikujiro)
Letters in Cursive Script, By Zhu Xi, Southern Song dynasty, 12th century (Gift of Mr. Takashima Kikujiro)
Writing after a Letter of Liu Gongquan, By Wang Duo, Ming dynasty, dated 1647 (Gift of Mr. Takashima Kikujiro)
Writing after Calligraphy by Wang Xizhi, By Fushan, Qing dynasty, 17th century (Gift of Mr. Takashima Kikujiro)
Writing after Wang Xizhi's Sixiang tie Copybook, By Bao Shichen, Qing dynasty, 19th century (Gift of Mr. Takashima Kikujiro)