In the history of Chinese calligraphy, there is a work known as the "First Running Script in the World", which is the famous preface to the Collection at the Orchid Pavilion. The creator of this timeless masterpiece is Wang Xizhi, a calligrapher from the Eastern Jin Dynasty. His story and achievements are still widely praised today, especially his calligraphy skill of "penetrating three inches into the wood", which has become a model for later generations to learn from.

I. Introduction to Wang Xizhi

Wang Xizhi (303-361 AD), styled Yi Shao, was a famous calligrapher from the Eastern Jin Dynasty, known as the "Sage of Calligraphy". Born into a prominent family, he had a passion for calligraphy from a young age and was diligent in his studies. Based on inheriting the traditions of previous calligraphers, Wang Xizhi continuously explored and innovated, developing his own unique calligraphy style. His calligraphy works possess extremely high artistic value and have had a profound influence on later generations.

II. The Origin of the Phrase "Penetrating Three Inches into the Wood"

The phrase "penetrating three inches into the wood" originated from the book "Shu Duan" by Zhang Huaiguan from the Tang Dynasty. The story tells of Wang Xizhi practicing calligraphy on a wooden board, with his strokes so powerful that the ink penetrated three inches into the wood. This story vividly demonstrates Wang Xizhi's exceptional calligraphy skills and the strength of his strokes. Later, "penetrating three inches into the wood" became a phrase used to describe calligraphy strokes that are strong, powerful, and vivid.

III. The Creative Background and Value of the Preface to the Collection at the Orchid Pavilion

The Preface to the Collection at the Orchid Pavilion is a parallel prose created by Wang Xizhi, documenting the scene of a literary gathering during the Eastern Jin Dynasty. In 353 AD, Wang Xizhi and forty-one other scholars held a banquet at the Orchid Pavilion, where they drank wine, composed poems, and discussed poetry and the moon. After the banquet, Wang Xizhi wrote the Preface to the Collection at the Orchid Pavilion to commemorate this literary gathering. This work, with its beautiful writing, unique calligraphy style, and profound meaning, has become a treasure in the history of Chinese calligraphy.

IV. Conclusion

As the protagonist of "penetrating three inches into the wood", Wang Xizhi not only reached an extraordinary level in calligraphy skills but also created timeless masterpieces such as the Preface to the Collection at the Orchid Pavilion. His calligraphy achievements and stories are still praised today, making him an immortal legend in the history of Chinese calligraphy. Through studying and inheriting Wang Xizhi's calligraphy, we can better appreciate the charm of calligraphy art and contribute to the inheritance and development of Chinese traditional culture.

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