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

ws = ss, \w

THE STROKES

The ‘ Short-straight Pieh, Tuan- Chih - Pieh (4a i& fffk), is in shape like a ‘ beak’ dot but longer. It is written in the same way: first to the right, then to the left, then slightly turned back again to the right. It should be written with a rapid hand that can control the length of the brush-hair and execute the leftward sweep at a desired length.

The ‘ Long-straight Pieh’, Chang - Chih - Pieh (長 直 的) is written in the same way as the ‘ shortstraight pieh’. But the wrist should be held suspended, or the force will be unevenly transferred to the brush and the stroke present a feeble appearance. The ‘Curling Pieh’, Chiian-Pieh (# if), is shaped like a new moon, slightly elongated. It is written by laying the point of the brush as shown in the figure and then sweeping it to the left.

The ‘Vertical Pieh’, Shu-Pieh (8 #8i), looks rather like a vertical stroke, except that it is slightly inclined to the left. The first part is written in the Same way as the vertical stroke; then the brush-tip

is raised to its point and drawn down steadily to the left.

As this stroke begins with a twist it is called a ‘ Curved-headed Pieh, Chti-T ‘ou-Pieh (ith 58 #84). It is written like the ‘ curved-headed vertical’ stroke at the start, then sweeps to the left as if for the * slightly-curved Pieh’.

[ 157 ]