Calligraphy is a traditional art in my country, and scholars in ancient times paid special attention to it. Therefore, there have been famous calligraphers throughout the ages. Among them, Wang Xizhi of the Eastern Jin Dynasty was the most accomplished calligrapher and was revered as the "Sage of Calligraphy" by later generations.
Bared Belly on the East Bed
Wang Xizhi's calligraphy "Iron Painting with Silver Hook" has been passed down through the ages, and the interesting anecdotes of his life are also popular.
Once, the high official Xi Jian went to the home of Prime Minister Wang Dao and wanted to choose one of Prime Minister Wang's nephews as his son-in-law. When the news came, a group of boys in their twenties all dressed up in the hope of being selected. Only Wang Xizhi didn't care, lying on the bed on the east side, disheveled, eating with his belly exposed. After Xi Jian saw it, he felt that this young man was free, natural and magnanimous, so he decided to marry his daughter to him. This is the origin of the allusions of "showing the belly to the east bed" and "the east bed is a quick son-in-law".
Masterpiece - Preface to the Lanting Collection
Among Wang Xizhi's works, "Preface to the Lanting Collection" can be said to be the masterpiece in his life. It is a pity that this excellent work was used for burial by Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty. What we see today is no longer the original work.
How can "Preface to the Lanting Collection" become the representative work of the "Sage of Calligraphy"? This work was regarded as a family heirloom by Wang Xi's grandson, so how could it fall into the hands of Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty after being passed down for seven generations?
"Lanting" is located in the suburbs of Shanyin in Kuaiji (now Shaoxing, Zhejiang). On March 3, the ninth year of Yonghe reign of Emperor Mu of the Jin Dynasty, Wang Xizhi, some good friends, and forty-one people including his sons Ningzhi and Huizhi, went to Lanting to hold a ceremony.
Let’s first talk about what “cultivation” means. "Fixing evil spirits" is an ancient ritual to eliminate impurities, which is equivalent to the current cleansing movement. Generally, people choose to go to the waterside on the third day of the third month of the lunar calendar when the spring scenery is bright. On the one hand, they worship the gods and at the same time, everyone washes their hands and feet. It is said that evil and bad luck can be eliminated. This ceremony began in the Western Zhou Dynasty. At first it was probably just a sacrifice to gods, and later it gradually added singing, banquets, poetry and other programs. Later, "cultivation" focused on admiring the scenery, drinking wine and composing poems, and became a game for literati and officials. The original intention of worshiping gods and clearing away filth gradually disappeared.
So Wang Xizhi and his friends had a great time in Lanting. They chatted and recited poems while drinking and having fun. When they were having the most fun, everyone asked Wang Xizhi to write a preface to commemorate this gathering, and Wang Xizhi agreed. He was already a little drunk at that time, so he picked up the rat whisker pen and wrote on the cocoon paper. In the article, he described the beauty of the scenery and the joy of friends' gatherings. At the same time, he also thought of the shortness of life and the impermanence of all things in the universe, and he couldn't help but feel a sigh in his heart.
The full text of "Lanting Collection Preface" has a total of three hundred and twenty-four words, each word is charming and vigorous, like a divine help. After Wang Xizhi sobered up, he was quite satisfied with the text. He carefully copied it several times according to the original text, but he could no longer write calligraphy like that. Therefore, the "Preface to the Lanting Collection" became Wang Xizhi's favorite, and he treasured it and passed it down to his descendants.
Xiao Yi Zhao Lanting
"The Preface to the Lanting Collection" was passed down to Sun Zhiyong, the seventh generation of Wang Xizhi. Zhiyong was a monk at Yongxin Temple in Shanyin and was also good at Dharma. It is said that Zhiyong lived to be nearly a hundred years old before his death, so the "Preface to the Lanting Collection" fell into the hands of his disciple Bencai. He is knowledgeable, talented and proficient in calligraphy, chess, calligraphy and painting. He is extremely fond of this treasure.
At that time, Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty loved Wang Xizhi's calligraphy and searched everywhere, and finally obtained the "Preface to the Lanting Collection" from Biancai. When Emperor Taizong died, he ordered that it must be buried with him, so the original "Preface to the Lanting Collection" was buried forever.
As for how Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty obtained the "Preface to the Lanting Collection" from Bencai? There are several different versions. Among them, Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty ordered Xiao Yi to capture the Orchid Pavilion, which is the most widely circulated story. The "Picture of Xiao Yi Taking the Orchid Pavilion" in the Palace Museum depicts this story.
It is said that Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty repeatedly asked Biancai for the "Preface to the Lanting Collection", but Biancai always refused to know where it was. Later, he had no choice but to arrange for the censor Xiao Yi to pretend to be a down-and-out scholar, and stayed at Yongxin Temple. He gradually became close friends with Bencai, and then found out the whereabouts of the "Preface to the Lanting Collection", and Taizong finally obtained the authentic copy.
This story is vivid and interesting, but some people say it may not be true.
Because Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty was the most respected person in the country. In that era, the emperor had whatever he wanted. Biancai was just an old monk, so how could he feel like he was deceiving the emperor? Therefore, some people think that this may be an interesting story made up by good people.