Wang Xizhi

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Names
Chinese:	王羲之
Pinyin:	Wáng Xīzhī
Wade-Giles:	Wang Hsi-chih
Zi:	Yìshào (逸少)
Hao:	Dànzhāi (澹斋)
Also known as:	Wáng Yòujũn (王右軍) Shūshèng (書聖, literally Sage of Calligraphy)

Wang Xizhi (303–361) was a Chinese calligrapher, traditionally referred to as the Sage of Calligraphy (書聖).

Born in Linyi, Shandong, he spent most of his life in the present-day Shaoxing, Zhejiang. He learned the art of calligraphy from Wei Shuo. He excelled in every script but particularly in the semi-cursive script. Unfortunately, none of his original works remains today.

His most famous work is the Preface to the Poems Composed at the Orchid Pavilion, the preface of a collection of poems written by a number of poets when gathering at Lanting near the town of Shaoxing for the Spring Purification Festival. The original is lost, but there are a number of fine tracing copies and rubbings. Wikisource has Preface to the Poems Composed at the Orchid Pavilion.

Wang Xizhi is particularly remembered for one of his hobbies - rearing geese. Legend has it that he learnt the key of how to turn his wrist while writing by observing how the geese move their necks.

Wang Xizhi had seven children, all of whom were notable calligraphers. The most distinguished one was his youngest son, Wang Xianzhi.

References

• Li, Siyong, "Wang Xizhi" Encyclopedia of China (Chinese Literature Edition), 1st ed.

External links

• Wang XiZhi's calligraphy

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Last updated on Tuesday February 26, 2008 at 19:43:07 PST (GMT -0800)
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