Ouyang Xun- Bu Shang Reading Manuscript

In Chinese calligraphy history, there were four great calligraphers in the early Tang Dynasty. Ouyang Xun was one of them. He was born in 557 AD and died in 641 AD. He is known for his regular script and running script. His calligraphy features tall and straight character shapes, heavy side-tip brushstrokes, and a vigorous and powerful structure. This formed a unique Ouyang Style that had a profound influence on later calligraphy.

Ouyang Xun's authentic works are extremely rare. Only four are widely recognized today. The Bu Shang Reading Manuscript is one of them.

This work is very short, with only six lines and fifty-three characters. It records Confucius discussing his thoughts on reading the Book of Documents with his disciples.

The work is 25.2 cm high and 16.5 cm wide, roughly the size of an A5 sheet—a small and delicate calligraphy piece. Because it is over 1,300 years old, five characters on the paper have become blurred due to wear. However, the overall spirit and energy of the work remain complete. The strength and vigor of each stroke are still clear, and its artistic charm has not been diminished by time.

What makes the Bu Shang Reading Manuscript most valuable is that it fully preserves the typical style of Ouyang Xun's calligraphy. Although it is brief, every character rewards close appreciation, making it an invaluable surviving work for the study of Ouyang Xun's calligraphy.