The Calligrapher — Lǐ Jiànzhōng 李建中

Early-Song 'Li Xitai', a Tang-to-Song bridge figure famed for calm, classical running script.

Song calligrapher (945–1013), master of running script — known for 《土母帖》. Song dynasty

Cultural Story

Pu is jade still asleep in its stone, uncut and unrecognized. The classic cautionary tale is Bian He, who offered a raw 璞 to two kings, lost a foot to each for his trouble, and wept until the third king cut it open — out rolled the He Shi Bi, the most famous jade disc in Chinese history.

Common words & phrases

• 璞玉 uncut jade · rough gem · raw jade · unpolished
• 返璞归真 return to innocence · nature · simplicity · original
• 璞石 uncut stone · raw stone · rough rock · gem
• 抱璞 hold jade · keep pure · retain virtue · pure
• 良璞 fine jade · good gem · quality stone · rough

Read the story behind the character

The lesson turned proverb: 璞玉浑金, raw jade and unrefined gold, for natural genius; 返璞归真, return to plainness, now the slogan of rustic-minimalist living, from linen sheets to farm-stay menus. A talent not yet tested is still kindly called 良璞.