The Calligrapher — Dǒng Qíchāng 董其昌

Late-Ming theorist and running-script master who shaped later taste.

Ming calligrapher (1555–1636), master of running script/regular script — late-Ming connoisseur-critic of understated, misty elegance. Ming dynasty

Cultural Story

The banquet chapters of the Dream of the Red Chamber leave the ladies 微醺 after the flower feasts, their cheeks warmed and their verses loosened, a gentle state the old house tolerated at its own tables. The 醺 was the soft edge of the cup, not its fall. From those garden parties the character kept the picture of pleasure held just short of excess.

Common words & phrases

• 微醺 tipsy · slightly drunk
• 醺醺 drunk · intoxicated
• 醉醺醺 dead drunk

Read the story behind the character

A wine bar serves a flight meant to leave guests 微醺 rather than spent, and a late guest arrives 醉醺醺 from the train with a laugh. The 醺醺 of the evening settles on the room. The character now lights a menu and a doorway, the soft drunkenness of the red chamber's feasts carried into a quiet bar and the glow of a friend who has had just enough.