The Study Of Zhang Huaiguan On Shu Yi’s Calligraphy Aesthetic Thought

Zhang Huaiguan’s commentary treatises on calligraphy have a deep insight into Chinese calligraphy.It can be said that the grand theoretical system of Chinese calligraphy is built upon Zhang Huaiguan’s work.Among his works,Shuyi(书议)is one of his great masterpiece that is worth studying,the content of which is simple and redefined,the architecture of which is innovative.Based on the fact that Shuyi hasn’t been studied sufficiently by the academic,this paper will investigate Zhang’s theory on calligraphy and aesthetics through analyzing Shuyi.This paper will check the important text of Zhang’s Shuyi and outline the value of his thought on aesthetic theory.Firstly,this paper analyzes the aesthetic thought of Shuyi through three different aspects,which respectively are the noumenon of art,the appreciation of art and the creation of art.By presenting the impact of Shudao(书道)on the theory of historical development of Chinese calligraphy,this paper confirms that it is Zhang who firstly affirmed the status of art of calligraphy.This paper finds that the reason why Zhang asserts the immortality of the theory of calligraphy is that he argues calligraphy is in accordance with the nature and human ethics.Lastly,this paper describes the historical significance and the realistic value of Zhang’s argument.Secondly,“Feng,Shen,Qi,Gu”(风神气骨)is Zhang’s the most important argument on calligraphy in his entire aesthetic system,which is also the cornerstone of the transition of the aesthetic standard during the Tang Dynasty.This paper examines the etymology of“Feng,Shen,Qi,Gu”.Then,this paper points out that the reason why Zhang praises the aesthetic standard of“Feng,Shen,Qi,Gu”is that on the one hand the performance of the art of cursive style,on the other hand he is unsatisfied with the fact that Tang Dynasty’s calligraphy doesn’t get rid of the hedge of Song and Jin,which is deeply affected by Wang Xizhi.Zhang’s argument on the aesthetic fashion contributes to the rise of cursive in Mid-Tang Dynasty and creates the model of calligraphy commenting through Shen(神),Miao(妙),and Neng(能),replacing the aesthetic standard of Shang(上),Zhong(中),and Xia(下)formed before Tang Dynasty.What’s more,His argument plays an directive role in the fashion of Song Dynasty’s calligraphy of Shangyi(尚意).Lastly,the paper based on Zhang Huaiguan’s calligraphy creation theory and conception theory of Chinese aesthetics,to analyze,from the perspective of calligraphy creation,the development from figure,imagery to state and involve the conception of mysterious,assimilate and intelligence and so on.The author will take Shuyi as the research object, interpreting brilliant insights and important propositions on calligraphy aesthetic of Shuyi as well as emphasizing the aesthetics value and significance of those view propositions in the history of calligraphy, calligraphy theory, calligraphy aesthetics, literature research.