Twisting or rotating tubes is one of the calligraphy techniques. Generally speaking, when writing brush characters, rotate the pen container clockwise or counterclockwise according to actual needs.

The method of twisting pipes has existed since ancient times. In the article Twelve Chapters of Calligraphy by Wang Xizhi, a book sage, it is mentioned that "the upper part bends and the lower part bends, and the turning point is finally known ..." The word "twist" means twist, which shows that Wang Xizhi is not opposed to twisting the tube. When Yan Zhenqing described Zhang Xu's brushwork in "Twelve Meanings of Zhang Changshi's brushwork" in the Tang Dynasty, he pointed out that the beauty lies in the brushwork, which makes it smooth and smooth, and does not make it cramped. The words 12 explain the function of the torsion tube. Huang Tingjian, a calligrapher in the Northern Song Dynasty, said: "The heart can turn the wrist, the hand can turn the pen, and the calligraphy is satisfactory." Bao, a calligrapher in Qing Dynasty, admired the twisting method in Yi Zhou Shuang Gu, and thought that the pen could rotate with the ring, which was a cabinet post.

Twist tube has two functions and purposes, one is to keep the pen tip smooth and ensure smooth writing. This function is not the main purpose of the torsion tube. The use of twisted tubes for this purpose is hardly controversial. Controversial is the second function, which is to adjust the pen tip to run in the center of the stroke at any time by twisting the tube, which is often called the center stroke.

The dispute between twisting tube and wrist movement in calligraphy has a long history. Each side has many supporters and opponents. Torsion tube and wrist movement are not exclusive or antagonistic. It is certain that the twist tube is one of them, but it can't be used as the main one. It is necessary to paint it occasionally.

For those who are good at adjusting the front with their wrists and elbows, there is no need to adjust the front with twisted tubes. Wrist and elbow have more room to move, greater freedom, and are three-dimensional, and the front adjustment effect is better! The reason is that Beijing Yantian Academy will discuss it in detail in the next issue of Eight Faces Out.