Letter from Master Shouren to Master Guilou Containing Poems

CHINA; Ming dynasty

This scroll is a manuscript of two poems that were composed and written by Master Shouren and dedicated to Master Guilou. The 22 lines and 211 characters include sincere expressions of their friendship, as well as words of concern.
The manuscript is almost entirely written in cursive script, but exhibits remarkable restraint and maturity in the scripting technique. Momentary hesitations are observably absent, which suggests a strong calligraphic foundation rooted in conscientious practice. The lines are reminiscent of Zhao Mengfu’s brushwork, while the characters are simplified and vertically elongated. The work could be considered a stylistic continuity of the cursive script made famous by Kangli Naonao of the Yuan dynasty (1271–1368).
Shouren, also known as Yichu or Mengguan, was a monk and calligrapher during the period between the late Yuan and early Ming (1368–1644) dynasties. Shouren apprenticed under Yang Weizhen, and later took on a monastic position as a lecturer. He was an advocate for the unification of Buddhism and Confucianism, and was skillful in propagating the Dharma by expounding both Buddhist sutras and Confucian classics.