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How does running script differ from regular script in Chinese calligraphy?
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Chinese art
A discussion of Chinese art, from the documentary China: West Meets East at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
In Chinese calligraphy, the primary difference between regular script (kaishu) and running script (xingshu) lies in the fluidity and connection of the brushwork.
- Regular Script (kaishu): Known as the proper, standard style of Chinese writing, regular script is characterized by its clarity and precision. Each stroke, angle, and dot is carefully shaped, allowing the calligrapher to focus on the structure and composition of individual characters. It has been the standard for government documents, books, and formal dealings since the Tang dynasty.1
- Running Script (xingshu): This style was developed by relaxing the tension found in regular script. While it maintains the legibility of the characters, it introduces an "easy movement" to the brush, allowing strokes to trail from one word to the next. This creates a more fluid, connected appearance compared to the distinct, individual strokes of the regular style.1
While regular script emphasizes the balanced, abstract design of each character, running script serves as a bridge toward more cursive forms, such as caoshu (grass script), by prioritizing the momentum and expressive movement of the brush.21