Zhao Linggui, a famous lyricist in the late Northern Song Dynasty and early Southern Song Dynasty, was renowned for his profound literary attainments and calligraphic talents. His work, "The Giving of Tea Post," is now in the National Museum of Japan in Tokyo, and is a precious cultural asset.
Overview of the work
The "Tea Giving Post" is a piece of running script with fifty-seven characters divided into nine lines. This work of calligraphy shows Zhao Lingji's distinctive artistic style with its simple yet dynamic strokes and formations. The calligraphic style reveals a hint of Dong Po's flavor, while at the same time reflecting the author's ability to express himself in a sophisticated manner.
Content of the work
The "Tea-Giving Post" is a letter concerning the system of giving tea during the Song Dynasty, which was a form of etiquette between kings and ministers at that time. In the letter, Zhao Lingji mentions that due to days of heavy rain, he received greetings and a gift of pear and chestnut from the other party, for which he was grateful. At the same time, he mentioned that he was fortunate enough to be given tea by the emperor and was willing to offer one of the cakes to Zuntang. The words in the letter, "I hope to love it for the time being," express how much he cherished the tea.
Author's Profile
Zhao Linggui (1051-1134) was a lyricist of the late Northern Song Dynasty and early Southern Song Dynasty, and the grandson of King Yan Dezhao, the second son of the Great Ancestor. During the reign of Yuanyou, he served as a minister of Yingzhou and was recommended by Su Shi. Later, he was abolished for ten years because he was involved in the Yuanyou party dispute. In the early years of Shaoxing, he was granted the title of King of Anding County and became the Minister of Propaganda of the Ningyuan Army. Zhao's life was full of ups and downs, but his literary and calligraphic achievements made him leave a colorful mark in the history of Chinese literature.
concluding remarks
The Tea Giving Post is not only a masterpiece of Zhao Lingji's calligraphy, but also an important testimony to the tea-giving culture of the Song dynasty. Through this work, we can get a glimpse of the social etiquette and lifestyle of the literati at that time. At the same time, it demonstrates Zhao's profound cultural cultivation and superb artistic skills, making it one of the treasures in the treasure trove of Chinese calligraphy.
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