Zhang Muyu

CHINA, Shandong, Yantai

Zhang Muyu was a seal engraver with an original name of Jing and an alias of Hefan. At a young age, he followed his elder brother in learning the regular script calligraphy style of Yan Zhenqing seen on the Stele of Prabhutaratna Pagoda, later studying Cai Yong’s clerical script on the Stele of Shi Chen.
He lived by a four word motto of committing to be “calm, tranquil, humble, and quiet.” Zhang took refuge in Buddhism during his middle age, and took the five precepts with a Dharma name Xiaoyuan. In addition to seal engraving, he also carved bamboo. One of his Buddhist seal works, Homage to Amitabha Buddha, is a red-character square seal which appears graceful and calm as a result of his refined pen-like knifing skills.