The Calligrapher — Mǐ Fú 米芾

Song eccentric genius of dynamic, 'flying' running script.

Song calligrapher (1051–1107), master of running script — Song eccentric genius ('crazy Zhang, idiot Mi') whose running script alternates discipline with glee. Song dynasty

Cultural Story

屦 was the classical word for shoes, especially straw sandals; the Shuowen gives shoes. The poor wore 麻屦 (hemp sandals), and the phrase 屦贱踊贵 — sandals cheap while clogs dear — mourned a ruler whose cruelty maimed so many that clog prices rose. 冠屦 (hat and shoes) marked one's rank and dress.

Common words & phrases

• 麻屦 hemp sandals
• 冠屦 hat and shoes
• 屦贱踊贵 sandals cheap clogs dear · injustice

Read the story behind the character

Museums display 麻屦 (hemp sandals) from digs, and the old phrase 屦贱踊贵 (sandals cheap, clogs dear — injustice) still illustrates cruelty's cost. Though 冠屦 (hat and shoes) sounds archaic now, the character preserves the humblest footwear of the past — straw on bare earth, the shoe of common life.