China Books

Master artist, teacher and scholar traces historical development of techniques and styles from 14th century B.C. to present; analyses aesthetic concepts, criteria, and schools associated with specific aesthetic qualities; and provides comprehensive, in-depth guide to materials, technical principles and major brush strokes. (ISBN:0486264815) (For this item please quote stock ID 9051) ISBN: 0486264815

Note: this title focusses on Indian, Tibetan and Japanese calligraphy with minimal focus on Chinese calligraphy. Throughout the East, writing is held to be a gift from the gods, and the divinely inspired letters and characters are objects of the highest veneration. The religious significance of calligraphy has thus led to a unique development of the art of brush and ink in Japan, China, India, and Tibet. This beautifully illustrated book covers such topics as the history and spirit of Eastern calligraphy, the art of copying religious texts, the biographies of important Zen calligraphers, and practical instructions on materials and techniques for the contemporary student. No knowledge of the languages discussed is required for the reader to appreciate the study of this ancient practice. (ISBN:1570621225) (For this item please quote stock ID 12940) ISBN: 1570621225

'The book is a fine account of a complex subject at a time of major historical importance. It is a rich mine to quarry' - Richard Edwards. 'This beautifully written and delicately nuanced study of a Chinese calligrapher is a major contribution to the study of Asian art in the West' - Richard Barnhart. 'A thought-provoking contribution on a fascinating period in the history of the Chinese culture. Sturman's translations of Mi Fu's densely allusive letters and poems are well-annotated and informative, and the intellectual issues raised are important' - Amy McNair, Journal of Asian Studies. (ISBN:0300065698) (For this item please quote stock ID 12989) ISBN: 0300065698

(ISBN:9627101605) (For this item please quote stock ID 21514) ISBN: 9627101605

Practiced for over 5,000 years, Chinese calligraphy is arguably the most revered art form in the East. The Simple Art of Chinese Calligraphy is the complete, step-by-step beginner?s guide to creating the sacred characters of Chinese script ? the fragile motifs of fruit and flowers that have deep meaning in Eastern philosophy, and the symbols of happiness and fulfillment. In this unique guide, renowned calligraphy artist Qui Lei Lei teaches the philosophy of this ancient art and demonstrates how to create the most important symbols of Chinese folklore ? Luck, Love, Happiness, and Long Life. Chinese calligraphy calls for a meditative, relaxing focus on the task of creating unique, time-honoured characters. As readers gather and arrange their materials ? the four treasures ? the author demonstrates how to perform the truly ancient ritual of preparing the mind and body for the practice. When readers create these unique symbols and signs, they will not only create beauty and rhythm on the page but also see how to connect with the spirituality that lies beneath much of the practice. Next, easy-to-follow illustrations explain how to reproduce such popular Chinese imagery as the Three Friends of Winter, plum blossoms for peace and love; bamboo shoots for longevity, and the fronds of the pine tree for vigor and new life. Finally, readers can explore a series of step-by-step calligraphy projects, including greeting cards, place mats, decorative books, and T-shirts. Qu Lei Lei was born in China in the 1950s but emigrated to England from Beijing after the cultural revolution in 1981. He tutored in Chinese art at Oxford University and has been a visiting scholar at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. He lives in Wimbledon, South London. (For this item please quote stock ID 19251) ISBN: 9780823048380

This is the classic introduction to Chinese calligraphy. In nine richly illustrated chapters Chiang Yee explores the aesthetics and the technique of this art in which rhythm, line, and structure are perfectly embodied. He measures the slow change from pictograph to stroke to the style and shape of written characters by the great calligraphers. it is a superb appreciation of beauty in the movement of strokes and in the patterns of structure and an inspiration to amateurs as well as professionals interested in the decorative arts. For the third edition the author has added two new chapters: "Calligraphy and Painting" discusses the dependence of Chinese painting on calligraphic training and techniques; "Aesthetic Principles" explores the fundamental concepts underlying every Chinese art form. (For this item please quote stock ID 5462) ISBN: 9780674122260

'This magnificent study should be recommended enthusiastically to teachers and scholars, for its analyses carry it well beyond the confines of the Tang-Song specialists or art historians. It is a work that will make all readers more deeply sensitive to the nuances, stylistic concerns, and artistic reception found in the Chinese calligraphic tradition' - Education About Asia, Winter 1999. 'In many ways a model for writing on this difficult subject...important and valuable' - CAA.reviews. In the history of Chinese calligraphy, few are more famous than the eighth-century statesman Yan Zhenqing (709-785). His style is still taught today as a standard, and Chinese bookstores the world over stock inexpensive reproductions of his works for sale as copybooks. Yet Yan's style cannot be called conventionally attractive. 'Correct', 'severe', 'serious', 'forceful' are terms habitually applied to describe his writing - rarely has his calligraphy been called graceful or beautiful. How, then, did Yan earn such an eminent place in the history of art? In The Upright Brush, Amy McNair argues for the political rather than purely aesthetic basis for Yan Zhenqing's artistic reputation. She shows how his prominent position was made for him in the 11th-century by a handful of influential men who sought to advance their own position by associating themselves with Yan's reputation for uprightness. Equating style with personality, they adopted Yan's calligraphic style as a way to clothe themselves in his persona. Sophisticated, informed, and intelligent, The Upright Brush illuminates an episode (one of many) in the history of Chinese culture where the creative reinterpretation of the past was used for contemporary political means. It will be eagerly welcomed by all scholars of Chinese culture and history, as well as by those interested in the making and reading of art. (For this item please quote stock ID 10747) ISBN: 9780824820022

'This magnificent study should be recommended enthusiastically to teachers and scholars, for its analyses carry it well beyond the confines of the Tang-Song specialists or art historians. It is a work that will make all readers more deeply sensitive to the nuances, stylistic concerns, and artistic reception found in the Chinese calligraphic tradition' - Education About Asia, Winter 1999. 'In many ways a model for writing on this difficult subject...important and valuable' - CAA.reviews. In the history of Chinese calligraphy, few are more famous than the eighth-century statesman Yan Zhenqing (709-785). His style is still taught today as a standard, and Chinese bookstores the world over stock inexpensive reproductions of his works for sale as copybooks. Yet Yan's style cannot be called conventionally attractive. 'Correct', 'severe', 'serious', 'forceful' are terms habitually applied to describe his writing - rarely has his calligraphy been called graceful or beautiful. How, then, did Yan earn such an eminent place in the history of art? In The Upright Brush, Amy McNair argues for the political rather than purely aesthetic basis for Yan Zhenqing's artistic reputation. She shows how his prominent position was made for him in the 11th-century by a handful of influential men who sought to advance their own position by associating themselves with Yan's reputation for uprightness. Equating style with personality, they adopted Yan's calligraphic style as a way to clothe themselves in his persona. Sophisticated, informed, and intelligent, The Upright Brush illuminates an episode (one of many) in the history of Chinese culture where the creative reinterpretation of the past was used for contemporary political means. It will be eagerly welcomed by all scholars of Chinese culture and history, as well as by those interested in the making and reading of art. (For this item please quote stock ID 20253) ISBN: 9780824819224

A fascinating and stunningly beautiful introduction to Chinese language and culture The origins of Chinese ideographs were not known until 1899, when a scholar went to an apothecary for some medicine made of "dragon bone." To his surprise, the bone, which had not yet been ground into powder, contained a number of carved inscriptions. Thus began the exploration of the 3000-year-old sources of the written characters still used in China today. In this unparalleled and deeply researched book, Cecilia Lindqvist tells the story of these characters and shows how their shapes and concepts have permeated all of Chinese thought, architecture, art, and culture. (For this item please quote stock ID 29562) ISBN: 9780306816093

China has been noted for its calligraphy that evolved from handwriting but has developed into an independent art genre that can be placed on a par with painting, music, dance, sculpture and literature. Beyond all doubt, the technique of calligraphy is very important, but by no means the most important, as the ultimate aim of calligraphy is to use seemingly lifeless dots and lines to produce vivid pictures in the minds of viewers. And such imagery is only to be sensed, not explained. In other words, a calligraphic work can fully expose a calligrapher's temperament, experience and erudition, and perfectly convey his outlook on life. And the calligrapher's personal feelings are supposed to get a ready response among viewers. For this very reason, so far as the artistic strengths and weaknesses of a calligraphic work are concerned, different people have always held different views. Marvelous calligraphy is voiceless music, motionless dance, and intangible sculpture. From it we can feel a sense of rhythm, a lapse of time and a constant change of scene. The more one reads, the more one is impressed by its profundity and unlimited charm. (For this item please quote stock ID 28823) ISBN: 9787508511290

Chinese calligraphy, with its artistic as well as utilitarian values, has been treasured for its formal beauty for more than three millennia. This lavishly illustrated book brings to English language readers for the first time a full account of calligraphy in China, including its history, theory, and importance in Chinese culture. Representing an unprecedented collaboration among leading Chinese and Western specialists, the book provides a definitive and up-to-date overview of the visual art form most revered in China. The book begins with the premise that the history of Chinese script writing represents the core development of the history of Chinese culture and civilization. Tracing the development of calligraphic criticism from the second century to the twenty-first, the fourteen contributors to the volume offer a well-balanced and readable account of this tradition. With more than 600 illustrations, including examples of extremely rare Chinese calligraphy from all over the world, and an informative prologue by Wen C. Fong, this book will make a welcome addition to the library of every Western reader interested in China and its premiere art form. Ouyang Zhongshi is professor at Capital Normal University, Beijing, and advisor to the Chinese Calligraphers? Association. Wen C. Fong is chair and professor at the Center for Advanced Study of Tsinghua University and professor emeritus in the Department of Art and Archaeology of Princeton University. (For this item please quote stock ID 29816) ISBN: 9780300121070

Emperors used seals to proclaim their decrees to their people, officials used seals to exercise their power, merchants used seals to demonstrate their credibility, landlords used seals to enclose fields and the common people used seals to protect their small properties. Gradually, seals became the representative and evidence of personal identity and even today we are still using seals. (For this item please quote stock ID 30048) ISBN: 9787119041971

One of the classic Zen arts, Chinese calligraphy is an increasingly popular form of self-expression. Enthusiasts say it brings physical and spiritual benefits, as well as increased discipline, patience, and persistence. Based on the success of the Art of Chinese Calligraphy Mega Mini Kit (nearly 100,000 sold), this deluxe kit is devoted to this soothing, satisfying hobby. The 128-page book is copiously illustrated, providing a comprehensive beginner's course in calligraphy. It is packaged in the beautifully designed kit with a water bowl and lid, ink stick, ink stone, spoon, brushes, engraved seal, and red ink pad. (For this item please quote stock ID 25598) ISBN: 9780762423989

Following a history of Chinese calligraphy - going all the way back to the pictographic beginnings of Chinese writing more than 4,000 years ago - the author explains the basic construction of individual characters and the ways in which calligraphy is used by Chinese artists, including calligraphic seals and inscriptions on paintings. The final chapters are devoted to detailed, step-by-step instructions for using Chinese painting equipment and for mastering the techniques needed to create stunning examples of brushwork calligraphy. Many black and white illustrations. Bibliography. Index. (For this item please quote stock ID 10102) ISBN: 9780486417394

This is a Chinese-English bilingual book for learning Chinese calligraphy. In this book, the basic knowledge of Chinese calligraphy is covered, along with techniques of brush writing. In order to have a more systematic teaching material, the basic calligraphy knowledge (11 chapters) is arranged in the front part of the book; and the calligraphy practice (14 chapters) is placed in the rear part of the book. This basic calligraphy book is recommended as a one semester college course; it is also suitable to use as a self learing primer. When used as a textbook in classrooms, instructors should not feel bounded by the sequence of the subjects in the chapters, but rather to select and rearrange as she or he feels suitable. Indeed, instructors should also feel free to supplement contents in this book with any additional materials such as stories and figures to increase the richness and interest of specific topic. In this book, Simplified Chinese characters are used in the text of the book. However, many Traditional Chinese characters are used in the demonstration and exercise sections for teaching. (For this item please quote stock ID 31324) ISBN: 9787301143124

Chinese calligraphy has been an independent visual art form for thousands of years. Its wonderful aesthetics has inspired the art of Chinese painting since the second century B.C. Before pen and pencil were introduced to China, millions practised the art of writing in ink. In the twentieth century, the art of calligraphy has not only fascinated modern Chinese who are part of this continuous tradition, but has also captured the interest and imagination of the world, There are many publications on the art of Chinese calligraphy in Japanese; there are also quite a few in the Chinese language. But there is not, until the present day, a proper history of Chinese calligraphy in English. This book, which is a comprehensive history of Chinese calligraphy, should therefore be most welcome. The author, Tseng Yuho, was Professor of Art History at the University of Hawaii, as well as Curator and Consultant of Chinese Art at the Honolulu Academy of Arts. She has lectured at museums and universities the world over, and has given a number of major exhibitions of Chinese art. Her publications are many and are considered classics of the genre. Tseng Yuho retired from her official duties and teaching in 1985 and is now fully committed to her research work and creative painting. Reviews: 'Tseng Yuho has been one of Hawaii's most distinguished artists - her world-wide reputation is also firmly established and we can all take great pride in her accomplishments' - George Ellis 'Tseng Yuho's life and art are a constant search for metaphysical understanding. From her art works to the cosmic roots of Chinese consciousness is a single realm in her experience' - Richard Barnhart (For this item please quote stock ID 13552) ISBN: 9789622014268

Calligraphy is a defining feature of Chinese culture, both a means of communication and a revered form of art. It has changed more dramatically during the half century since Mao Zedong established the People's Republic in 1949 than over the preceding fifteen hundred years. At first the traditional art of calligraphy was transformed into an instrument of political power and protest, wielded on an unprecedented scale. Over the past three decades it has emerged as a more visually exciting modern genre, one that offers fascinating insights into the people of modern China. For The Art of Calligraphy in Modern China, Gordon S. Barrass interviewed many prominent calligraphers. He focuses on twenty-five individuals who have been key figures in this process and who exemplify its main trends, from the grand tradition to the avant-garde. Lavishly illustrated, this sumptuous book charts the development of these calligraphers and makes their distinctive voices accessible to Western readers for the first time. (For this item please quote stock ID 27338) ISBN: 9780714124001

Through 18 chapters and 60,000 Chinese characters, Chinese Calligraphy gives details on topics of calligraphy such as its history and evolution, the calligraphic strokes for characters, and biographies of prominent calligraphy artists. There are also directions on fundamental calligraphy skills. With color and b&w photos. (For this item please quote stock ID 31879) ISBN: 9787508503226

Suitable for college and high school students and those learning on their own, this fully illustrated coursebook provides comprehensive instruction in the history and practical techniques of Chinese calligraphy. No previous knowledge of the language is required to follow the text or complete the lessons.
The work covers three major areas:
1) descriptions of Chinese characters and their components, including stroke types, layout patterns, and indications of sound and meaning
2) basic brush techniques
3) the social, cultural, historical, and philosophical underpinnings of Chinese calligraphy?all of which are crucial to understanding and appreciating this art form.

Students practice brush writing as they progress from tracing to copying to free-hand writing. Model characters are marked to indicate meaning and stroke order, and well-known model phrases are shown in various script types, allowing students to practice different calligraphic styles. Beginners will find the author?s advice on how to avoid common pitfalls in writing brush strokes invaluable.

Chinese Writing and Calligraphy will be welcomed by both students and instructors in need of an accessible text on learning the fundamentals of the art of writing Chinese characters.

(For this item please quote stock ID 31819) ISBN: 9780824833640