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Cai Xiang [Ts’ai Hsiang; zi Junmo]
(b Xianyou County, Fujian Province, 1012; d Xianyou County, 1067). Chinese calligrapher, scholar–official and poet. From an undistinguished provincial family, he rose to prominence as an official after passing the national civil-service examination to become a jinshi in 1030. He attained his highest posts at the courts of the emperors Renzong (reg 1023–63) and Yingzong (reg 1064–7) during the ascendency of the reform faction led by Fan Zhongyan (989–1052) and OUYANG XIU. Cai is traditionally designated one of the Four Great Calligraphers of the Northern Song (960–1127), along with Su Shi, Huang Tingjian and Mi Fu (see CHINA, §IV, 2(iv)(a)). The oldest of the four, Cai played an important role in setting the direction for the development of Song (960–1279) calligraphy and was praised by Su Shi as the greatest calligrapher of the period.
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