Learning calligraphy without a good model is like learning music without listening. This volume reproduces Zhao Mengfu's Tianma Fu from the Xiangxue Hall fatie tradition, a celebrated model of Yuan dynasty brushwork.
Keep it near your brush rest — you will reach for it every session. The cover's brocade pattern catches the light with a subtle sheen. The cover pattern is woven, not printed, with a texture you can feel. The format follows the traditional fatie layout — models first, no clutter. Pages are sequenced to build from basic strokes to full characters. Thread-bound books age gracefully; the binding loosens just enough with use. The book's size suits a standard desk without crowding the ink stone. Practice directly alongside the models or lay tracing paper over them.
A thoughtful gift for any student of calligraphy. Keep it on the desk — out of sight is out of practice. The first step is opening the book.
