A Study on the Calligraphy Spirit of Palha in 『Pilgam』

Abstract

This paper examines Pal Ha's calligraphy theory and calligraphic spirit as portrayed in his work featured in 『Pilgam』. I would like to replace the conclusion by synthesizing what was discussed in the main body. First of all, as a professional calligrapher who worked in the Daegu calligraphy circle, he learned calligraphy from Changam in his youth, and was also an early teacher of Seokjae Seo Byeong-oh who is the renovation of Daegu literary painting, and is considered the origin of Daegu calligraphy in the 20th century. Pilgam was compiled to convey to his son Gyeong-soon, and is a rare professional calligraphy theory book in the late Joseon Dynasty. It comprehensively covers Palha’s calligraphic theories from basic techniques of one-stroke technique and Eight Principles of Yong (永字八法) to writing method, brushstroke method, letter closing method, ink usage, theory on copying practice with classics, theory on calligraphic font and the like along with appendices of Seobeopwonin (書琺原因), Jegapumpyeong (諸家品評, criticism on calligraphic masters) and his copying practice of 「Jinchocheonmun (眞草千文)」. The theory on calligraphic technique on 『Pilgam』 classified and examined one-stroke technique, Eight Principles of Yong, writing method, brushstroke method and letter closing method and the gist is as follows. The one-stroke technique and Eight Principles of Yong facilitated studying calligraphy (學書) with illustrations and metaphorical explanations with natural objects. The writing method stressed control of five fingers (指實), space given to the palm (掌虛), lifting the elbow (縣腕) and standing of a brush (管直). The brushstroke method placed much value on hiding of brush tip (藏鋒) and the principles of ‘movement inevitably followed by halt (無垂不縮)’ and ‘coordination of the top and the bottom (承上接下).’ The letter closing method put emphasis on harmony of sparseness and denseness (疏密) and untrimmedness (參差). The calligraphic view on 『Pilgam』 classified and examined theory on copying practice with classics, theory on calligraphic font and theory on criticism and the gist is as follows. The copying practice with classics emphasized academic attitude of learning strong points and supplementing weak points (取長補短) along with notions that one should establish a system for Lishu by using Zhuanshu; that for Xingshu by using Kaishu and; that for Caoshu through Caoshu written by Zhangzhi. As demonstrated above, 『Pilgam』 pursued the theory on calligraphic technique based on classical theories for learning calligraphy including one-stroke technique, Eight Principles of Yong and writing method and the calligraphic view of creating new by learning from the past (法古創新) and learning strong points and supplementing weak points (取長補短). Palha’s such calligraphic theory would be a proper guideline for calligraphic researchers as the basis for calligraphic study and creation.