Editing Chinese culture (section)

== Calligraphy ==
{{Main|Chinese calligraphy}}
[[File:Wang_Xianzi_Imitation_by_Tang_Dynasty.JPG|thumb|right|[[Chinese calligraphy]] written by the poet [[Wang Xizhi]] (王羲之) of the [[Jin dynasty (265–420)|Jin dynasty]]]]
Chinese calligraphy is a form of writing ([[calligraphy]]), or, the artistic expression of human language in a tangible form. There are some general standardizations of the various [[East Asian script styles|styles]] of calligraphy in this tradition. Chinese calligraphy and [[ink and wash painting]] are closely related: they are accomplished using similar tools and techniques, and have a long history of shared artistry. Distinguishing features of Chinese painting and calligraphy include an emphasis on motion charged with dynamic life. According to Stanley-Baker, "Calligraphy is sheer life experienced through energy in motion that is registered as traces on silk or paper, with time and rhythm in shifting space its main ingredients."<ref name="Stanley-Barker 2010a">Stanley-Baker (2010) {{full citation needed|date=March 2019}}</ref> Calligraphy has also led to the development of many forms of art in China, including [[Chinese seal|seal]] carving, ornate paperweights, and [[inkstone]]s.

[[File:Four treasures of the Study.jpg|thumb|left|The [[Four Treasures of the Study]] – brush, ink, paper and ink stone in [[Chinese calligraphy]] traditions.]]

In China, calligraphy is referred to as ''Shūfǎ'' (書法/书法), literally "the way/method/law of writing".<ref>書 being here used as in 楷书/楷書, etc, and meaning "writing style".</ref> In Japan it is referred to as ''Shodō'' ({{lang|ja|書道/书道}}), literally "the way/principle of writing"; and in Korea as ''Seoye'' (서예; 書藝) literally "the skill/criterion<ref>{{cite book |title=王力古漢語字典 |author=Wang Li |year=2000|publisher=中華書局 |location=Beijing|isbn=7-101-01219-1|page=1118|display-authors=etal}}</ref> of writing". Chinese calligraphy is normally regarded as one of the "arts" (Chinese 藝術/艺术 {{zh|p=yìshù}}) in the countries where it is practised. Chinese calligraphy focuses not only on methods of writing but also on cultivating one's character (人品)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vincentpoon.com/shodo-and-calligraphy.html |title=Shodo and Calligraphy |website=Vincent's Calligraphy |language=en-GB |access-date=28 May 2016 |archive-date=6 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200506143816/http://www.vincentpoon.com/shodo-and-calligraphy.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and taught as a discipline (書法; {{zh|p=shūfǎ}}, "the rules of writing [[Han characters]]"<ref>Shu Xincheng 舒新城, ed. Cihai (辭海 "Sea of Words"). 3 vols. Shanghai: Zhonghua. 1936.</ref>).