Text Series: Works of Wang Xizhi 4 – Fragmentary Steles of Kōfuku-ji (Hyakunō Edition)

This stone tablet features Wang Xizhi's running script. The powerful strokes, uniform character size, and generous spacing make it easy to learn. Compared to the Collection of Wang Shengjiao Xu, another collection of Wang Xizhi's calligraphy, this one is easier to read and more readable.
While some argue that it falls short of the Collection of Wang Shengjiao Xu when examined stroke by stroke, it is still highly regarded as superior to other Collection of Wang Steles.

Wang Xizhi held the official position of General of the Right Army, and is therefore also known as Wang Right Army. While he was serving as a local official in Kuaiji County, he hosted a banquet featuring flowing cups and serpentine water for 42 prominent figures of the time. The poems composed at this time were compiled, and the preface written by Wang Xizhi is known as the "Lanting Preface." The original copy of the Lanting Preface later passed through the hands of Zhiyong (Author of the Thousand Character Classic), believed to be the seventh-generation grandson of Wang Xizhi, and was then placed in the possession of Emperor Taizong of Tang, an avid Wang Xizhi enthusiast. By his order, copies were made by calligraphers (specialists who create handwriting copies), and copies were left by contemporary masters. It is said that the original copy of the Lanting Preface was buried with Emperor Taizong's tomb after his death.

The "Chang Jinjie-nu Version of the Lanting Preface" featured in this book is said to be a copy by Yu Shinan, but this is uncertain. The Chang Jinjie-nu version of the Lanting Preface has been engraved in several collections, including the "Yu Qingzhai Collection" and the "Qiubi Tang Fashu."

Table of Contents
Illustrations/Explanation/Character Shape and Stroke Order