Masters of Calligraphy. The Tang dynasty (618-907) required that its officials practice the art of calligraphy, and the study of calligraphy was one of the six disciplines in higher education. Ever since that time calligraphy has been considered a cultural symbol of China and a sign of an individual's character and personality. Because Tang emperor Taizong (ruled 626-649) loved his adviser Wang Xizhi, the four best-known early Tang calligraphers—Yu Shinan (558-638), Ouyang Xun (557-641), Zhu Suiliang (596-659), and Xue Ji (649-713)—all followed Wang's style. Ouyang Xun and two other calligraphers who learned from Wang Xizhi—Yan Zhenqing (709-785) and Liu Gongquan (778-865)—established the three schools of Tang calligraphy. They developed the new style of kaishu (normal script). Ouyang's writing is stiff and vigorous, with open structure and strong strokes, showing the influence of the lishu...