Chinese calligraphy

Chinese calligraphy
Chinese name
Traditional Chinese
  • 書法
  • 法書
Simplified Chinese
  • 书法
  • 法书
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu Pinyin
  • shūfǎ
  • fǎshū
Bopomofo
  • ㄕㄨ ㄈㄚˇ
  • ㄈㄚˇ ㄕㄨ
Wade–Giles
  • shu1-fa3
  • fa3-shu1
Tongyong Pinyin
  • shu-fǎ
  • fǎ-shu
IPA
Wu
Romanization
  • sy fah
  • fah sy
Hakka
Romanizationsu24 fab2
Yue: Cantonese
Yale Romanization
  • syū-faat
  • faat-syū
Jyutping
  • syu1 faat3
  • faat3 syu1
IPA
Southern Min
Hokkien POJ
  • su-hoat
  • hoat-su
Vietnamese name
Vietnamese alphabetThư pháp
Chữ Hán書法
Korean name
Hanja書藝
Transcriptions
Revised RomanizationSeoye
McCune–ReischauerSŏye
Japanese name
Kanji書道
Hiragana
Katakana
Transcriptions
Revised Hepburn
  • Shodō (modern)
  • Shiyodau (historical
Kunrei-shiki
  • Syodou (modern)
  • Siyodau (historical)

Chinese calligraphy is the writing of Chinese characters as an art form, combining purely visual art and interpretation of the literary meaning. This type of expression has been widely practiced in China and has been generally held in high esteem across East Asia.[1] Calligraphy is considered one of the four most-sought skills and hobbies of ancient Chinese literati, along with playing stringed musical instruments, the board game "Go", and painting. There are some general standardizations of the various styles of calligraphy in this tradition. Chinese calligraphy and ink and wash painting are closely related: they are accomplished using similar tools and techniques, and have a long history of shared artistry. Distinguishing features of Chinese painting and calligraphy include an emphasis on motion charged with dynamic life. According to Stanley-Baker, "Calligraphy is sheer life experienced through energy in motion that is registered as traces on silk or paper, with time and rhythm in shifting space its main ingredients."[2] Calligraphy has also led to the development of many forms of art in China, including seal carving, ornate paperweights, and inkstones.

  1. ^ "Chinese Calligraphy". Asia Society. Retrieved 2023-09-28.
  2. ^ (Stanley-Baker 2010a)