Jin Dynasty (265420)

Western Jin (, 265316)Eastern Jin ( 317420)

Six DynastiesEastern Wu (222280)Eastern Jin Dynasty (317420)Liu Song Dynasty (420479)Southern Qi (479502)Liang Dynasty (502557)Chen Dynasty (557589)All established their capital in Jiankang or Nanjing.

Six Dynasties with legitimate lineageSima Guangs Comprehensive Mirror to Aid in Government These six dynasties were:Cao Wei (220265)Jin Dynasty (265420)Liu Song Dynasty (420479)Qi Dynasty (479502)Liang Dynasty (502557)Chen Dynasty (557589)

Preface to the Orchid PavilionBy Wang Xizhi 353Called "Sage of Calligraphy " in China's history of calligraphy, Wang Xizhi (321-379) was the great calligrapher of the Eastern Jin Dynasty, famous for xngsh running script/running hand (in Chinese calligraphy).

His Favorite Character

chnglngkuix Dragon-Riding (ideal) Son-in-LawIn Eastern Jin (344 to 405), Xi Jian, Grand Master, tutor to the crown prince, , asked the prime minister Wang to find a son-in-law among his students for him. Ruan Yu, butler of Xi Jian, reported that everybody behaved politely except Wang Xizhi who was lying in bed with all buttons unbuttoned

in Exchange for a Flock of GeeseIt is said that a Taoist in Shanyin County wanted Wang Xizhi to write some calligraphy for him, but had not made acquaintance with him. When he got to know that Wang Xizhi had a special preference for geese, he raised a flock of geese specially beside the Taoist temple. One day Wang Xizhi saw the geese when he passed by the temple, and he really took a fancy for them, wishing to buy and bring them back home. The Taoist told him, "I would like to present you with these geese if you copy me a Taoist scripture". Delighted with this, Wang Xizhi spent the whole day copying the scripture for the Taoist. Later he took the geese home in great pleasure.

Value of his workTang Dynasty emperor Taizong, Li Shimin, held Wang Xizhi's calligraphy in great esteem. Upon hearing that the original copy of Preface to the Orchid Pavilion was kept by the monk Bian Cai, he devised to outwit the monk to obtain it, placing it in front of himself and admiring it day and night. In order that more people could appreciate this calligraphic treasure, the emperor ordered his officials Zhao Mo, Hong Chengsu and others to make some elaborate copies of the original, which he gave away to his imperial family members and favored officials. At the same time he especially organized Ouyang Xun, Chu Suiliang, Yu Shinan and other famous calligraphers to conscientiously copy Preface to the Orchid Pavilion Poems.

Preface to the Orchid Pavilion 353

A masterpiece for its literary quality;

A masterpiece in calligraphy

The Goose Pond

The Goose PondShaoxing, Zhejing Province

Read his masterpiece onlineWang Xizhi. Preface to the Orchid Pavilion Poemshttps://catalyst.uw.edu/gopost/area/weigao/114894

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