Chinese calligraphy : an introduction to its aesthetic and technique : with 6 plates and 155 text illustratons

TECHNIQUE

suited to K‘ai-Shu; Round Stroke to Hsing-Shu and Ts‘aoShu. These, however, are not rules but merely guides: in K*ai-Shu the Round Stroke is sometimes employed to add a grace and ease of manner ; in Hsing-Shu and Ts‘ao-Shu added dignity is gained by the use of Square Strokes. The expert writer works out for himself the most suitable combinations and variations for his special style.

FIG. 99 Horizontal line Na or Sweeping- Pieh or Inclining- Vertical rightward Stroke leftward Stroke Stroke

(a) (B) (c) (D)

Single strokes are made in accordance with a method called San-Chieh-Fa (= tf 3), Method of Three Folds, which is illustrated in Fig. 99,a and B. Fora Horizontal, or Sweeping Stroke to the right, the brush first moves slightly to the left, then turns to the right for the main length of the stroke, and finally leftwards slightly again. For an Inclining-leftwards Stroke (Fig. 99,c), the brush first twists to the right, then Sweeps down to the left, and for the third movement, pauses. For a Vertical Stroke (Fig. 99, D), the brush travels upwards first, then moves down, and ends by twisting back slightly.

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