Bianguang

CHINA, Zhejiang, Wenzhou; Tang dynasty

Originally named Wu Dengfeng, Bianguang was a monk and calligrapher from Yongjia (present day Wenzhou, Zhejiang). Ambitious by nature, he renounced at a young age. In his calligraphy, Bianguang inherited the skills of clerical and cursive scripts from Lu Xisheng; his strokes, powerful yet gracefully unique, were highly regarded by contemporaries. Summoned by Emperor Zhaozong (reigned 888–904) of the Tang dynasty to script calligraphy, he was honored with a purple robe. He later served as the court attendant of the Hanlin Academy. Bianguang retired in Siming (present day Ningbo) and lived there until the end of his life.
Three years after his death, Bianguang’s casket was opened to cremate the remains. The body was found still intact, with longer hair and nails. A pagoda was built to honor Bianguang’s relics after cremation. The preface of Farewell to Bianguang in Su Song’s Comments of Weigong, states that “Bianguang truly comprehended calligraphy. His achievements resulted from knowledge that cannot be passed on to future generations.” His biography was recorded in the Song Biographies of Eminent Monks.