空海曾于公元804 年，乘遣唐大使葛原野麻吕的船渡海入唐。其书法可分为入唐前、在唐期间和归回日本后三阶段，《风信帖》是他致最澄三通信札并为一卷的总称，是空海四十岁左右归回日本后最重要的书法代表作，此碑为《风信帖》的第一通书札。三通信札充分地显示出王羲之尺牍式的娴熟纯正的笔法和晋唐风韵。

 

Era: 8^th Century

Calligrapher: Master Kukai of Japan (774 – 835)

Overview: Master Kukai sailed to China aboard a vessel ferrying the entourage of the ambassador of Tang Dynasty. His calligraphy can be characterized by three different phases, namely before and during his stay in China under the rule of Tang Dynasty, and after his return to Japan. “Feng Xin Tie” (transliterated as ‘Letters’) refers to the three letters in combination he wrote to Master Zui Cheng (known as Master Saicho in Japanese). It was the most significant calligraphy work by Master Kukai after his return to Japan in his 40s. The tablet displayed here features the first letter of the three. All three letters exude the calligraphy style typical of Wang Xi Zhi. Master Kukai’s calligraphy oozes a distinctive flair in terms of brushstroke. It bears the calligraphy flavours of Jin and Tang dynasties.

Calligraphy Style: Xing Shu