Seven Character Couplet in Running Script《行书七言联》

Yang Shoujing (1839–1915)
Yang Shoujing, birth name Kaike, also known by the list name Kai, later changed his name to Shoujing, and in his later years, referred to himself as Linsu Laoren, was from Yidu, Hubei. He was a dedicated scholar throughout his life, known for his vast knowledge and expertise in various fields, including geography, epigraphy, calligraphy, numismatics, book collecting, and bibliographic studies. He authored over 83 works during his lifetime and was regarded as the foremost scholar of the late Qing and early Republican period. His representative work, “Annotations to the Waterways Classic,” stands as a monumental achievement in the history of Chinese geography.

“Seven Character Couplet in Running Script”
Yang Shoujing’s most outstanding accomplishment in calligraphy was his running script. He specialized in studying stone inscriptions and also drew from traditional copybook styles. This running script couplet embodies the essence of epigraphy, with strokes that aim for a rough, aged appearance, like cuts made by a knife or axe, while still maintaining an elegant and spirited quality. This combination of strength without coquettishness is truly rare.

Translation of couplet: “After the rain, quietly sit with the sandbirds, Leisurely count the blooming flowers on the steps.”

杨守敬（1839—1915），谱名开科，榜名恺，更名守敬，晚年自号邻苏老人，湖北宜都人。他一生勤奋治学，博闻强记，以考证著名于世，是一位集舆地、金石、书法、泉币、藏书以及碑版目录学于一身的大学者。他一生著述达83种之多，被誉为“晚清民初学者第一人”，代表作《水经注疏》，是郦学史上的一座丰碑。

杨守敬在书法上成就最突出的就是他的行书，主学碑版，兼参传统帖学。此行书联主表现碑学金石之意，用笔追求涩行，力求老辣之意，如刀劈斧削，而内在又不失秀逸，有英姿而无媚骨，殊为难得。

释文：雨后静陪沙鸟坐，日长闲数砌花开。