Yu Shinan (558 – 11 July 638),

courtesy name A courtesy name ( zh, s=字, p=zì, l=character), also known as a style name, is an additional name bestowed upon individuals at adulthood, complementing their given name. This tradition is prevalent in the East Asian cultural sphere, particula ...

Boshi, posthumously known as Duke Wenyi of Yongxing, was a Chinese calligrapher and politician who lived in the early

Tang dynasty The Tang dynasty (, ; zh, c=唐朝), or the Tang Empire, was an Dynasties of China, imperial dynasty of China that ruled from 618 to 907, with an Wu Zhou, interregnum between 690 and 705. It was preceded by the Sui dynasty and followed ...

and rose to prominence during the reign of Emperor Taizong. His uncle, Yu Ji (虞寄), also served in the Tang imperial court as an Imperial Secretary. He is regarded as one of the four greatest calligraphers in the early Tang dynasty along with

Ouyang Xun Ouyang Xun ( zh, c=歐陽詢, w=Ou-yang Hsün, p=Ōuyáng Xún; 557–641), courtesy name Xinben ( zh, c=信本, w=Hsin-pên, p=Xìn běn), was a Chinese calligrapher, politician, and writer of the early Tang dynasty. He was born in Changsha, Huna ...

, Chu Suiliang and Xue Ji, and one of the more famous ones in the history of Chinese calligraphy. Emperor Taizong once mentioned that Yu Shinan was "a man of five absolute merits", referring to his virtuous behavior, loyalty, erudition, writings and calligraphy.(太宗以是益亲礼之。尝称世南有五绝：一曰德行，二曰忠直，三曰博学，四曰文辞，五曰书翰。) ''Jiu Tang Shu'', vol.72

References

* Qin, Gong
"Yu Shinan"
''

Encyclopedia of China The ''Encyclopedia of China'' () is the first large-entry modern encyclopedia in the Chinese language. The compilation began in 1978. Published by the Encyclopedia of China Publishing House, the encyclopedia was issued one volume at a time, be ...

'' (Arts Edition), 1st ed.

External links

Yu Shinan and his Calligraphy Gallery
at China Online Museum {{DEFAULTSORT:Yu, Shinan 558 births 638 deaths Artists from Ningbo 7th-century Chinese calligraphers People from Yuyao Politicians from Ningbo Sui dynasty government officials Tang dynasty calligraphers Tang dynasty government officials Transition from Sui to Tang