Revisit The Classics | High-Definition Appreciation Of Chu Suiliang’s Calligraphy Works

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——————Jiangsu Calligraphy Association——————

Chu Suiliang, courtesy name Dengshan, was born in Qiantang, Zhejiang (now Hangzhou City). During the reign of Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty, he was granted the title of Duke of Henan Province and was known as "Chu Henan" in the world. History records that this person was well versed in literature and history, and was especially good at calligraphy. Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty once said: "After Yu Shinan's death, no one will discuss calligraphy with me anymore." Wei Zheng recommended Chu Suiliang, saying, "Suiliang's penmanship is so vigorous that he is worthy of Wang Yi Shao's style." Officials arrive at Zhongshu Order. Later, he was repeatedly demoted and died because he opposed Tang Gaozong's decision to make Wu Zetian his queen.

　　Chu Suiliang's calligraphy was able to create a new style because it inherited the tradition. The "Book Review of the Tang Dynasty" praised Chu Suiliang's calligraphy as "gold in the words, jade in the lines, gentle in rules, and beautiful in many ways". Even the calligraphy of the Song Dynasty did not take it seriously. Mi Fu, a great calligrapher and painter, also used the most beautiful words to praise him: "Nine tunes and thousands of dances, cranes and herons fill the courtyard, clanging jade and jade, graceful and graceful", which shows that Chu's font structure has a strong personality charm.

　　At that time, he was as famous as Ou and Yu, and there were many scholars. One of the four great calligraphers in the early Tang Dynasty. Yan Zhenqing was also affected by it. "Book Review of the Tang Dynasty" said that Chu's books are "gold in the words, jade in the lines, gentle in rules, and beautiful in many ways." The handed down steles include "The Preface to the Sacred Religion of the Wild Goose Pagoda", "The Notes of the Yi Qian Buddhist Niche", and "The Stele of Master Meng".

Appreciation of Chu Suiliang’s works:

"The Preface to the Holy Religion of the Wild Goose Pagoda"

Chu Suiliang's "Preface to the Holy Religion of the Wild Goose Pagoda" Song rubbings, Yonghui 4th year (653), collected by the Tokyo National Museum, Japan

"The Preface to the Holy Religion of the Wild Goose Pagoda" was established in the fourth year of Yonghui in the Tang Dynasty and was written by Chu Sui of the Tang Dynasty. This stele is most in the style of the Chu family. Its knotted characters are more relaxed than those of Ou and Yu, and there are also many changes in the writing style.

"Ode to a Dead Tree"

Only the printed version of Chu Suiliang's "Ode to the Dead Tree" has been handed down to the world. The title is written in the fourth year of Zhenguan. There are thirty-nine lines in total, totaling 467 words. The style of the book is vertical and horizontal, with intricate changes. Wang Shizhen of the Ming Dynasty commented: "It is very beautiful to be set off by the piles of trees... there is a beautiful lady, Chanjuan, who is more beautiful than Luo Qi." "Tingyulou Tie", "Yuyantang Tie", "Xihongtang Tie" and "Lin Suyuan Tie" are all included, but the "Tingyulou Tie" is the most exquisite. In addition, Zhao Mengfu of the Yuan Dynasty had ink imprints handed down to the world.

　　 Zhou Tianqiu of the Ming Dynasty said: "It is dense, beautiful and moist, with many of them exposed to the North Sea. It also uses all its strength to defeat the enemy." See "China Southern Painting Dacheng. Collection of Inscriptions and Postscripts".

"Small Character Yin Fu Jing"

 It is said that the Yin Fu Jing written by Chu Suiliang has as many as 190 volumes. This calligraphy "Small Character Yin Fu Jing" is the famous Yuezhou Shi family's calligraphy edition. The characters are as small as beans and the carving is excellent. It was written by Chu Suiliang when he was fifty-nine years old.

"The Flying Birds Presented by King Lin"

Chu Suiliang's "The Flying Birds Presented by the King" (biography), regular script on paper, 22×47.4cm, collected by the National Palace Museum, Taipei

　　 Chu Suiliang's "The Flying Birds Presented by Lin Wang" has 21 lines in the main book, on linen paper, 22 centimeters long and 47.4 centimeters wide.

　　 Later, there were two postscripts by Yuan Ke Jiusi and Wang Shoucheng, which were recorded in "The First Collection of Shiqu Baoji". The original copy is now in the National Palace Museum in Taipei. The seals inside the volume include "Shaoxing" (Song Neifu), "Zigu" (Zhao Zigu), "Ouyang Xuan", "Yingzhao" (Zhang Yingzhao), as well as Xiang Molin and other imperial seals. At the back of the post, there is a line of small characters written by Xiang Molin, which says: "The Flying Birds Posted by Chu Suiliang of the Tang Dynasty came to the King of Jin Dynasty and presented it to Xiang Yuan Bian for a real reward. Its value is... (the bottom part is unclear)". Ke Jiusi, who was born in the Yuan Dynasty, said in the postscript: "It has the legacy of the Yuan Dynasty, and is definitely not as popular as the Song Dynasty. It is undoubtedly the ear of the Tang Dynasty." However, the text presented is absurd, and Chu Suilianglin's writing is not genuine, but the writing is precise and precise, with an ancient charm. Therefore, although this volume is not Chu's real handwriting, it is still a wonderful work of the Tang Dynasty.