Yu Shinan (558-638), together with Ouyang Xun, Chu Suiliang and Xue Ji, is known as the "Four Great Calligraphers of the Early Tang Dynasty". Yu Shinan became a disciple of Sun Zhiyong, the seventh generation of Wang Xizhi, and learned the true inheritance of Wang Xizhi's calligraphy. His calligraphy strokes are smooth, soft on the outside and hard on the inside, with almost no carvings or anger, forming a self-contained "Yu style".



"Xuanhe Shupu" believes that Yu Shinan's Zhengshu in his later years was preceded by Wang Xizhi's phase. It also discusses Ou and Yu's phase: "Yu contains hardness and softness internally, while Ou has exposed muscles and bones. A gentleman hides his weapons, and Yu is the best."


Li Shimin, Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty, vowed to study Wang Xizhi far away and Yu Shinan nearby, which shows his influence.










Yu Shinan does not choose paper or pen when writing, but he pays great attention to his sitting and standing postures and the way he moves his wrists. He believes that as long as the posture is correct and the wrist is light and weak, even if it is rough paper or a bare pen, you can use it freely and create new ideas.