Chinese Calligraphy in Lin Yutang’s My Country and My People

In his classic work My Country and My People (1935), Lin Yutang devotes a section to the art of Chinese calligraphy, presenting it as one of the most distinctive and refined achievements of Chinese culture. He describes calligraphy not merely as a method of writing but as a form of artistic expression, where each stroke embodies rhythm, balance, and emotion.

Lin explains how the brush, ink, paper, and inkstone—known as the “Four Treasures of the Study”—are essential to the art. With these simple tools, a calligrapher creates works that reflect both technical mastery and the personality of the writer. He emphasizes that calligraphy is closely linked to Chinese philosophy, especially the ideals of harmony, spontaneity, and the unity of man and nature.

The chapter also explores how different styles—seal, clerical, regular, running, and cursive scripts—evolved across dynasties, each expressing a unique aesthetic. Lin points out that Chinese calligraphy is valued not for perfect form alone but for the spirit (气韵, qì yùn) conveyed through the brushwork.

This chapter is recommended reading for anyone interested in understanding how writing becomes a visual art in Chinese tradition, blending beauty, thought, and personality into every stroke.

Artists and Traditions: Uses of the Past in Chinese Culture ——Christian F. Murck (Publications of the Art Museum, Princeton University) Hardcover – November 21, 1977    

The Upright Brush: Yan Zhenqing’s Calligraphy and Song Literati Politics       —— By Amy McNair