Treatise on Calligraphy

孙过庭香港书谱出版社Jun 2024

4.6

Word count: 4.9K words
Chapters: 3

Summary

Traditional Chinese thought has a long history and is highly original, inventive, and literary. Early intellectual forms are distinctive: religious theology, classical Chinese medical texts, ancient military strategy, Confucian, Daoist, Buddhist, and other schools of thought, feng shui and metaphysics, the Twenty-Four Histories, customs and local gazetteers—all are profound and extensive. This series, "Essence of Chinese Classics: Original Texts," preserves the original appearance of the works and focuses on preserving and transmitting traditional Chinese thought and culture. By reading the literary essence left by ancient sages, readers cultivate character and quietly absorb the classics of Chinese learning.

Editor's review

Shupu (A Treatise on Calligraphy) is a famous Tang-dynasty work on calligraphy theory by Sun Guoting, written in cursive script; it has dual value as a discussion of calligraphy and as a work of calligraphic art. It discusses the origins and development of script types, the proper sequence for learning calligraphy, the frame of mind for creation, and the gains and losses of technique. Its language is concise and reflective, and it has long been regarded as an important text for studying cursive script and understanding traditional calligraphy thought. This edition is published by Hong Kong Shupu Publishing House in the "Essence of Chinese Classics: Original Texts" series; it preserves the original appearance of the work and focuses on transmitting traditional thought and culture, making it suitable for readers willing to engage directly with the original text. Reading it, one can appreciate its views on calligraphy and also study its ink traces as a cursive model, with text and brushwork illuminating each other. It is advisable first to read through once to grasp the general meaning, then examine the key points section by section and compare them with cursive forms; understanding will be more solid if a annotated edition or work on calligraphy theory is used for reference.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Calligraphy learners studying cursive script who want a classic ink model
Readers interested in ancient Chinese calligraphy theory who want to read the primary text
Culturally inclined readers with some classical Chinese who are willing to read the original closely
Calligraphy teachers and those who need calligraphy-theory materials to support teaching

Not a good fit for

Complete beginners who do not know cursive forms and have no foundation in classical Chinese
Readers who want only modern vernacular explanations and do not wish to engage with the original text
Readers expecting a systematic technique tutorial rather than a theoretical text

Reading tips

First read through the whole text to understand the thread of discussion, then read section by section; avoid trying to solve every character at the outset.
Use the original ink traces as a cursive model for copying, combining textual understanding with brushwork practice.
A reliable annotated edition or work on calligraphy theory may be consulted for reference, but prioritize reading the original yourself.
Take notes and summarize the key points on calligraphy to form your own outline for later review.

About the publisher

香港书谱出版社

Hong Kong Shupu Publishing House is a publisher devoted to works of Eastern philosophy, though verifiable information about it in our records remains limited. Judging from its available titles, the press focuses on traditional Chinese calligraphy theory and the broader tradition of shuxue. Its representative title is Shu Pu, the celebrated treatise by the Tang-dynasty calligrapher Sun Guoting. The work is not only a foundational text in the history of Chinese calligraphy but also combines art criticism with philosophical reflection, which corresponds to the common classification of Eastern philosophy found alongside it. By centering its selection on such classical texts, the publisher shows a clear interest in preserving and transmitting original works of calligraphy theory. Because public information is limited, its full publishing program, editorial formats, and distinctive features remain to be documented; what can be confirmed at present is the direction reflected in its editions of Shu Pu and works associated with Sun Guoting.

版权信息
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书谱

FAQ

Can I read Shupu without any foundation in cursive script?

You can, but it will be difficult. Shupu is written in cursive; without knowledge of cursive forms, even recognizing the characters will be hard. It is advisable first to acquire basic knowledge of cursive forms, or read alongside a transcription, then gradually move to reading the ink traces directly.

Does Shupu mainly discuss calligraphy technique or calligraphy theory?

Both, but it leans more toward theoretical discussion. It discusses the origins of script types, the sequence of learning, the frame of mind for creation, and technical gains and losses; it does not teach specific strokes step by step. Readers should approach it as a theoretical text while using its ink traces to study cursive method.

Is this book suitable as a model for copying cursive script?

Yes. Its ink traces are themselves a classic of cursive script and can be studied and copied. When copying, however, it is advisable to use a transcription and compare character forms, first clarifying character method and then seeking brush momentum, so as not to copy only the shape without understanding the meaning.

Do I need other materials to read Shupu?

It is advisable. Keep a reliable annotated edition or work on calligraphy theory on hand to help clarify the text and terminology; also prepare materials on cursive character forms for recognizing the original. Make reading the original the main activity, with references as support.

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About the author

孙过庭 Author

Sun Guoting holds an important place in the history of Chinese calligraphy as both a calligrapher and a writer on the art. Publicly available information about his life is limited, and neither the exact dates of his birth and death nor his native place are firmly recorded. His principal extant work, the Shupu (Treatise on Calligraphy), is at once a specialized essay on calligraphic theory and creative practice and a celebrated model of cursive script, and it has exercised a profound influence on later calligraphic scholarship. The Shupu discusses brushwork, character structure, temperament, and the path of learning calligraphy, stressing that the art should balance established rules with naturalness and opposing mere imitation of the ancients and artificial display. Because it combines theoretical depth with exemplary writing, later learners have often used it as a key reference for studying cursive script and understanding traditional calligraphic thought. One work by him is included in this collection, classified under Eastern philosophy, reflecting the way his writing on calligraphy is regarded as a text where traditional thought and art converge.