Ou Gishi　王羲之

KEY WORD :　art history / paintings

Ch: Wang Xizhi (?303-61?). A famous Chinese calligrapher of the Eastern Jin period, considered an originator of both the cursive (sou 草) and runing (gyou 行) scripts, often called Ishao 逸少 (Jp: Itsushou). from a well-known calligrapher family in Shandong 山東 Province, Wang Xizhi surpassed all contemporaries in mastery of the brush. He served as an official in several posts before retiring in 355 to live in Zhejiang 浙江. Wang Xizhi and his son Wang Xianzhi 王献之 (Jp:Ou Kenshi, 344-388) often are called the "Two Wangs" (lit. two kings) of calligraphy. Various anecdotes from Wang Xizhi's life are illustrated in painting. Wang Xizhi typically is painted standing on a River bank or in a pavilion gazing at geese or ducks because he is said to have found in their supple muscularity and sinuous necks inspiration for his calligraphy. The fan painting by Josetsu 如拙 (fl. early 15c, Kyoto National Museum) is the best known Japanese example of the latter episode. In addition, Wang Xizhi was a host of the famous "Orchid Pavilion Gathering" (*Rantei kyokusui 蘭亭曲水) which was also a favorite theme of Chinese and Japanese artists.

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