Caoshu in the early period retained much feature of Lishu and was called Zhangcao (a coarse style formed by breaking up the forms of Lishu). From the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220) to the Wei (220-265) and Jin (265-420) dynasties, Caoshu got rid of the trace of Lishu strokes, and employed a large number of running strokes, and was called Jincao (the modern cursive hand). By the Tang Dynasty (618-907), Caoshu developed further, was written in a lively and vigorous way and was called Kuangcao (crazy cursive hand).

As Caoshu uses lots of running strokes and only has the outline of Chinese characters, it is illegible to most readers, which influenced its function of communication. Therefore, though Caoshu came into being comparatively early, it didn't become in written form within a state, while Zhuanshu (seal script) and Lishu (official script) could not be written hastily, hence Caoshu emerged, one of the calligraphies in general use. However, it has been always loved by many people. Famous Caoshu calligraphers include Zhang Zhi, Zhang Xu, Huai Su and so on.

Representative: Zhang Xu

  Running Hand

Xingshu (running hand or semi-cursive script) was something between Lishu (the regular script) and Caoshu (the cursive scripts) in the initial period and now is between Kaishu (the standard script) and Caoshu. No matter which type, when carefully written with distinguishable strokes, the Xingshu characters will be very close to the regular style; when swiftly executed, they will approach the Caoshu. Chinese masters have always compared with vivid aptness the three styles of writing -- Kaishu, Xingshu and Caoshu -- to people standing, walking and running.

Xingshu is a looser writing style than regular style created by Liu Desheng in the reigns of Emperors Huan and Ling of the Han Dynasty (206BC-220AD). At the very beginning, it was called Xingya, and later on became an independent form.

Xingshu is considered more abstract and artistic. Writing Xingshu characters is done more quickly than Kaishu but executed with no less care. Xingshu is not as messy as Caoshu, nor as neat as Kaishu . But it is convenient and highly practical for writing.

Masterpieces of Xingshu include Preface to the Orchid Pavilion Collection by Wang Xizhi, which was reputed as No.1 Xingshu Work. Unfortunately, the original was not handed down, and the one we see today is only a copy of the original work. Due to the high level of the copier, the copy retains the beautiful, neat style.

Famous Xingshu calligraphers included Cai Xiang, Su Dongpo, Huang Tingjian and Mi Fu in the Song Dynasty (960-1279), who were called Four Masters of the Song Dynasty. In the Ming (1368-1644)) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties and modern times, many calligraphers good at Xingshu came into being.

Representatives: Wang Xizhi, Wang Xianzhi, Four Calligraphy Master of the Song Dynasty

Author: Jessie