u/7conts7conts

Writing Chinese calligraphy looks simple and effortless.
In just 4 seconds, you can finish a whole character.

But in reality, that final horizontal stroke hides 5 hidden techniques.

1. 欲右先左，凌空起势，犹如太极拳起式 Start from the left before going right — hovering in the air to build momentum, just like the opening of Tai Chi
2. 杀纸入笔，停顿蓄势后起笔 Thrust firmly into the paper, pause to accumulate power, then begin the stroke
3. 由慢而快，势弱后，由快而慢再蓄势 Slow to fast, then after the momentum weakens, fast to slow again to rebuild power
4. 势满后自然停笔，最终凝重往左上空迅捷收笔 When the momentum is full, stop naturally, then with dignity swiftly lift the brush toward the upper left
5. 不描不画，起笔和收笔都仅利用了笔毫的形状，连笔尖的缺陷也忠实反映来 Never trace or redraw — use only the natural shape of the brush tip for both start and end, faithfully reflecting even the imperfections of the tip

Did you catch all five?

Here's a short clip of writing the basic horizontal stroke (横) — for Shufa beginners.

Slow and steady practice. Hope this helps!

Sharing the beauty of Shufa with the world, stroke by stroke. 🌍