A Letter Requesting Cursive Calligraphy Models to Be Provided for Tian Jiaying [I]
(October 16, 1958)
Comrade Tian Jiaying:
Please have all existing cursive calligraphy models brought out for me, including several rubbings (such as Wang Caizhi’s 121), Yu Youren’s Thousand-Character Essay 131, and the Song of Cursive Script Rules [to be included]. In addition, please inquire with the person in charge at the Palace Museum (might it be Zheng Zhenfeng151?) whether we can borrow a selection of their cursive manuscripts. If so, an official receipt should be drawn up so that each item can be returned individually upon completion of the review.
[1]
Tian Jiaying,
who at the time served as Mao Zedong’s secretary.
[2]
Wang Caizhi, an Eastern Jin dynasty calligrapher.
Mao Zedong
October 16
[3]
Yu Youren’s Thousand-Character Essay refers to the “Standard Cursive Script Model: Thousand-Character Essay,” compiled by the calligrapher Yu Youren (who long held the post of President of the Control Yuan under the Nationalist government), consisting of double-outline cursive characters selected from masterpieces by renowned cursive script masters throughout history.
[4]
The Song of Cursive Script Rules is the “Hundred-Rhyme Song on the Rules of Cursive Writing,” a work by Han Daoheng of the Ming dynasty that presents cursive and regular scripts side by side for comparison.
[5]
Zheng Zhenfeng was, at the time, Vice Minister of Culture.