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

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THE STROKES

The ‘Inclined Na’, Tsé-Na (fi) #), is less flat than the ‘ level Na’ and not so sloping as the “vertical Na’. It is written in the same way as the others, only more inclined to the right.

The ‘ Reversed Na’, Fan-Na (x #), differs from the ordinary Na in having no sharp tip. It is written in the same way as the ‘ tiger-claw’ dot but is a little longer. In characters which contain two Na, the first is always written in this way in order to avoid repetition.

- The ‘ Curved-head Na’, Chiti- T‘ou- Na (#i 98 #5), is written in the same way as the “vertical Na’, except that the head is bent down a little to the left.

The ‘ Golden-knife Na’, Chin-Tao-Na (金 刀 #8), is very similar to the ‘vertical Na’, but without the duck’s beak.

This stroke is called Jiao (#k) in Chinese. It is the only kind of stroke written from the lower part upwards. This first 7zao is called ‘Level Tiao’, P‘ing-Tiao (# $k), and is written first to the left, then steadily upwards to the right.

The ‘Long Tiao’, Chang-Tiao (£ #k), is written in the same way as the ‘level Tiao’, but is longer and has not the angle at the left side.

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