Look up at the 'Lantingji Xu'. It's a masterpiece that wasn't planned – it just happened.
I like that.
Written by governor/poet/calligrapher Wang Xizhi in AD353, it's the preface to a collection of poems written by literati who'd gathered at Wang's invitation for a day of writing and revelry.
They spent the day drinking wine spirit, singing and composing poems. Wine cups floated down the winding stream and, as each came to rest at the water's edge, the person nearest would drink it and compose a poem. Thirty-seven poems were composed.
Satisfied at day's end—and in more than excellent cheer—Wang decided to write a preface to the collection of poems.
As literature, it's revered for its sublime reflections on the local East China landscape, life's transience,
and reflections on the thoughts of ancestors and future generations.
As calligraphy, it is the gold standard in the semi-cursive Xingshu style—elegant, spirited and masterfully improvised. This improvisation is exemplified in the appearance of the character 之: it
appears twenty times in the text and each iteration is unique.
But I see much more.
Beyond its literary and artistic merit, Wang's masterpiece reminds me of spontaneity's great rewards... and that agility, improvisation and the moment will always take you farther.
Written by governor/poet/calligrapher Wang Xizhi in AD353, it's the preface to a collection of poems written by literati who'd gathered at Wang's invitation for a day of writing and revelry.
They spent the day drinking wine spirit, singing and composing poems. Wine cups floated down the winding stream and, as each came to rest at the water's edge, the person nearest would drink it and compose a poem. Thirty-seven poems were composed.
Satisfied at day's end—and in more than excellent cheer—Wang decided to write a preface to the collection of poems.
He conceived the words on the spot; calligraphy brush in hand. We know it as
Lantingji Xu or 'Preface to the Orchid Pavilion Collection of Poems'.
Lantingji Xu or 'Preface to the Orchid Pavilion Collection of Poems'.
As literature, it's revered for its sublime reflections on the local East China landscape, life's transience,
and reflections on the thoughts of ancestors and future generations.
As calligraphy, it is the gold standard in the semi-cursive Xingshu style—elegant, spirited and masterfully improvised. This improvisation is exemplified in the appearance of the character 之: it
appears twenty times in the text and each iteration is unique.
But I see much more.
Beyond its literary and artistic merit, Wang's masterpiece reminds me of spontaneity's great rewards... and that agility, improvisation and the moment will always take you farther.
Lessons for business and life!