Inquiry post 1 – 歐體Calligraphy

For this inquiry project I’ll be diving into Chinese calligraphy! I’ve been studying Chinese for 3 years now, and am able to have basic conversations with friends, but writing, especially by hand, is still a challenge for me. Over a year ago, I photocopied a calligraphy book from a friend, who had begun teaching me calligraphy before we became too busy. The book in question is 歐體九成宮桿準習字帖 which translates to Ouyang style Jiucheng Palace Standard Calligraphy Model, authored by 柳圃靑(Liu Puqing). Ouyang style is a calligraphy style based on Ouyang Xun’s writings in early Tang dynasty, particularly his stele Inscription on the Sweet Spring in the Jiucheng Palace erected in the sixth year of the Tang dynasty (632).

In order to practice calligraphy effectively, I will be following this book, focusing on a different stroke each week. The eight basic strokes outlined in this book are 點 dot, 挑 right-rising, 横 horizontal, 竪 vertical, 撇 left-falling, 捺 right-falling, 厥 bend, and 钩 hook.