Stele of Master Xinxing

CHINA; Tang dynasty

This Tang dynasty (618–907) stele has an inscription composed by Li Zhen and was written by Xue Ji. Xinxing was a Chan master of the Sui dynasty (581–618) who established and promoted the Teaching of the Three Levels, as well as abandoned upasampada and advocated asceticism through labor and begging for alms. The stele inscription records the story of Master Xinxing’s establishment and propagation of the Teaching of the Three Levels movement.
The calligraphy, distinguished by its long and thin strokes amid strong, sparse, and clear character forms, is lively and free-spirited. Regarded as one of Xue Ji’s masterpieces, this work was perhaps precursory to the development of the slender gold script created by Emperor Huizong (reigned 1100–1125) of the Song dynasty.
Xue Ji, styled Si Tong, was a calligrapher and painter of the Early Tang period (618–712) from Fenyin, Puzhou (present day Wanrong, Shanxi). He was known together with Ouyang Xun, Yu Shinan, and Chu Suiliang as one of the Four Great Calligraphers of the Early Tang period.