萧让与《水浒传》中的书法描写

Xiao Rang and the Depiction of Calligraphy in Water Margin

圣手书生萧让是《水浒传》塑造的游民书法家,最初为搭救宋江聚义梁山,招安后因书法被蔡京赏识,成为蔡京府的门馆先生。《水浒传》以萧让为中心的书法描写,既反映出宋代书法因刻帖兴盛出现的平民化特征,也体现了底层民众虽然能够从实用性的角度利用书法,却无法将书法当作艺术进行欣赏的局限。

Divine Scholar Xiao Rang,as a vagrant calligrapher portrayed in Water Margin,he initially rescued Song Jiang and helped establish the bandit stronghold of Liangshan.After surrendering to the government,he gained recognition for his calligraphy from Cai Jing and became a calligraphy instructor in Cai Jing’s mansion.The portrayal of calligraphy centered around Xiao Rang in Water Margin reflects the democratization of calligraphy during the Song Dynasty due to the popularity of engraving copies.It also highlights the limitation that despite the practical utility of calligraphy among the lower classes,they lacked the appreciation of calligraphy as an art form.