Calligraphy
Background
Since calligraphy is based on the written version of a language, we need to have a simple knowledge of the Chinese language before we can have an understanding of Chinese calligraphy. However, for the purpose of this article, I will not talk about the origin of the Chinese language and other characteristics. I will just concentrate on the form of written Chinese here.
How to Hold a Chinese Writing Brush
The Seal Script was developed in the late Western Zhou Dynasty (circa 850 BC) and became popular in the Qin State during the Eastern Zhou Dynasty (770 BC to 256 BC). In view of the geographical spread of the different states which were able to enjoy a high degree of autonomy under the weak Eastern Zhou Emperor, variations had appeared in the written form of the languages used in the different states. After the Qin State (256 BC to 202 BC) had conquered all the other states during the Warring States Period (475 BC to 222BC) and then unified China, Qin Shi Huang, the first Emperor of the Qin Dynasty, decreed that the written language be standardized.
Kai Shu (Regular Script)
The Regular Script evolved from the Clerical Script and during the transition period, the two terms were interchangeable. This script became very popular in the Wei, Jin, and the North/South Dynasties and was widely used. On the one hand, it is as regular as the Clerical Script, but on the other, the strokes have more variations and are more stylish and more expressive than those of the Clerical Script. This script is used up to the present day and an example is shown on the right.