Brush Writing
Cai Yong

Calligraphy ventilates heart. Whenever handwriting is desired, shake off all restraint first. If start in a hurry, even a hare hair brush will be of no avail. Therefore prior to picking up a brush, sit down in a quiet mood, allow thought wander unchecked, keep breathing at ease and bring out a deferential expression as if in front of someone most venerable.

Calligraphy is formally defined by its implications of brushstroke, which may suggest sitting or walking, flying or wriggling, going or coming, lying or rising, sorrow or joy, leaf nibbled by worm, sharp sword or long-handled dagger-axe, strong bow or hard arrow, water or fire, cloud or mist, the sun or the moon. Only those which suggest images can be called calligraphy.

Gifted in literature, music and calligraphy, Cai came the first Confucian on the list by the end of the Han. This essay, once held the secret to success, is thought to be the cornerstone of Chinese calligraphy theory.