ひとりの佳き人物であるように : 米芾が「平淡天真」の先に見据えた書境

“平淡天真” is a key phrase in understanding Mi Fu 米芾(1051-1107)’s thought on painting and calligraphy. Previous studies have already made it clear that “天真” is a concept which Mi Fu uses, and which has fixed connotations in many essays on painting. However, neither “平淡” nor “天真” are concepts first proposed by Mi Fu.
This paper attempts to consider the true meaning of “平淡” and “天真,” and to clarify Mi Fu’s ideal state of calligraphy through deciphering his texts.
Through review of sources, this paper shows that the foundation of Mi Fu’s ideas are inherited from Tang Dynasty art theory, but his style of appreciation is different from others in his era. In contrast with Su Shi and Huang Tingjian, who associate the work with the author, and value the author’s personality, Mi Fu makes no mention of the author; on the contrary, he states, “Each work should be like a refined person.”
In conclusion, this paper reveals that Mi Fu’s views on calligraphy are peculiar for the Northern Song dynasty, but that they have influenced the theory of calligraphy since then.