Zhang Jizhi, the last important calligrapher of theSong period, was a devout Buddhist who oftentranscribed religious texts as an act of devotion.He obtained his jinshi degree, the highest rank inthe civil service examination, but never rose to highoffice. As a calligrapher, however, his fame spreadbeyond the borders of the Song to the Jin empire innorthern China as well as to Japan, where hishandwriting was particularly prized by Zen monks.Zhang was noted for his forceful large-characterstandard script, with its boldly contrasting bluntand sinuous brushstrokes. This piece, remountedcenturies ago in Japan for display in a tokonoma,was cut from a long handscroll transcribing a poemby Du Fu (712–770) in such a manner that the poeticphrasing of the original is completely fragmented.The original two couplets may be translated asfollows (the text of this scroll is on the fourth and fifth lines):Heavenly gates open in clear skies,ripples vastly trembling;By the Serpentine, kingfisher curtainshang arrayed with silver plaques.Brushing the water, hovering,dancing sleeves flutter;Climbing to the clouds, crisp and clear,the sounds of songs arise.(Translated by Jonathan Chaves)
