Calligraphy Classics Series Vol. 13: Zheng Xixia Stele (Tenrai Shoin)

This monument was carved in 511 by Zheng Daozhao (?-516) in the fourth year of the Yongping era (the year 511) to commemorate the achievements of his father, Zheng Hee, to pass on to future generations. During China's Northern Wei and Northern Zhou dynasties, many "rock-carved monuments" were created by smoothing the surfaces of natural rock faces and boulders and carving inscriptions into them. The "Zheng Hee-Xia Stele (511)" is one such monument, located in Mount Yunfeng in Shandong Province. Zheng Daozhao came from a prominent aristocratic family of the time and held a number of high-ranking positions. They would find suitable stones in the mountains of Mount Unfeng, Mount Taegi, Mount Tianzhu, and Mount Linglong and write inscriptions and inscriptions on them. Among these, the "Jeong Hee Hyapi" monument features many characters and is a refined, highly polished work. Its powerful brushstrokes, large undulations, and three-dimensional feel, embracing space and evoking a sense of grandeur, make it the finest example of the Northern Wei period. This is a restoration of a rubbing formerly owned by Matsui Joryu. All characters are accompanied by "skeleton inscriptions" that indicate the brush strokes. As Northern Wei calligraphy often features variant and separate characters, the "Character Shapes and Stroke Order" section at the end of the book is useful. A modern translation and recommended sections for use in your own work are also provided.

Table of Contents

Features of this series / What is copying classical calligraphy? / About cursive writing / Jeong Hee Hyapi / Interpretation, Japanese translation, and outline / Modern Japanese translation / Commentary / Character shapes and stroke order for creating calligraphy works (sections suitable for copying)