Wave 3

   So basically, I have this assignment in my History of China class to choose five of the most interesting topics in a list my teacher put together consisting of the main ideas of Wave 3 (Period of Disunity, Sui, Tang, Song). All the subjects I chose are related to art in someway; they are Painting, Calligraphy, Sculpture, Music and Martial Arts.
   
    Top Five

      Martial Arts
   Martial arts, also known as wushu, means "a system of fighting" which began during the Tang Dynasty but flourished most during the Ming. The most common form of martial art known today is Kung Fu.
   In a Buddhist monastery in Henan, Shaolin monks began practicing kung fu for their goal was to reach enlightenment which could be done by developing mind and body and therefore, physical activity was important. The main virtues developed were tolerance and meditation. These monks would devote all their time to training their bodies to be more durable and practicing channeling their Qi. Martial arts is still practiced today, Judo and Taekwondo are even olympic sports.

   Click here to watch Martial Arts in Practice

      Music
   Throughout China's history, many instruments had been created over many dynasties. Most of them are string instruments and they are played in many different ways. The Lute family, contains stringed instruments that are plucked while the Huqin family, consists of stringed instruments that are played with a bow. Guqin, one of the plucked instruments, is the oldest instrument, since 600 B.C, and is played for good mood music and the Erhu, of the Huqin family, is the most popular in the group and it similar to a two-stringed fiddle but with the bow between the strings. A group in my Middle School once played them in a concert and it doesn't sound good in unexperienced hands.

Click here for a Guqin Demonstration

Sculpture

Sculpture of Buddha
   Sculpturing in China first developed during the Sui dynasty but only peaked during the Tang. This was the time period when Buddhism flourished and therefore, Buddha sculptures were very common. Today, most of the sculptures created are of past emperors or famous battles.

      Painting

Shanshui Painting

   This art form was practiced most during Tang where during that period, nature wasfocused on more than people. Animals, especially horses, were also popular since they also gave a peaceful feeling. The most common painting was landscape painting and Shanshui (Water-mountain painting). The Shanshui style was not to portray a direct picture from nature but to give the feeling and spirit of that place; therefore, details were not important, only the appropriate amount to create the right feeling.

           

    
      Calligraphy

Ink stick Calligraphy

   There were four treasures in Chinese calligraphy which demonstrate the different styles and brushes.
   Brush - This was China's earliest writing utensil and was used since the Warring States Period. It is mainly used for delicate painting and it can still be used in many different ways depending on type of brush hair.
   Ink stick - This was created during the Han and was mainly used for quality writing for things like poetry or copying texts.

   Ink Slab - This was used to create and hold the ink and was mainly made out of stone while bronze, lacquer and porcelain was also used. It was a tribute to royalty during the Tang and it was known for elegance and sobriety.

   Paper - This was one of the "Four Great Inventions" of China and was invented by Cai Lun around 100 A.D and during the time, was made of rice, mulberry or bamboo. Before paper, people used cloth to write on which was relatively expensive and inconvenient.