Zhong Yao

Zhong Yao (151–230) was a Chinese calligrapher and politician of Cao Wei. Born in modern Xuchang, Henan, he was at one time the Grand Administrator of Chang'an.

Following Cao Pi's death and Cao Rui taking the throne, Zhong Yao was appointed as a Grand Tutor of Wei in 226. As a student of Cai Yong, a famous calligrapher, he also contributed to the development of standard script (kaishu), and is known as the "father of standard script". His famous works include the Xuānshì Biǎo (宣示表), Jiànjìzhí Biǎo (薦季直表), and Lìmìng Biǎo (力命表), which survive through handcopies, including by Wang Xizhi. Qiú Xīguī (2000, p.143) describes the script in Zhong’s Xuānshì Biǎo as:

"…clearly emerging from the womb of early period semi-cursive script. If one were to write the tidily written variety of early period semi-cursive script in a more dignified fashion and were to use consistently the pause technique (dùn 頓, used to reinforce the beginning or ending of a stroke) when ending horizontal strokes, a practice which already appears in early period semi-cursive script, and further were to make use of right-falling strokes with thick feet, the result would be a style of calligraphy like that in the “Xuān shì biǎo"".

Zhong Yao's son Zhong Hui was also a calligrapher and a general of the Wei who conquered Shu Han with Deng Ai.

Personal information

Son
Zhong Hui (钟会)

Translation

The phrase "Zhong Yao" occurs as such in the following languages: English, German.

Translation(s) in other languages: Korean: 종요, Japanese: 鍾ヨウ, Chinese: 鍾繇.