Comments

I am born as a Hindu, but very much a Chinese in mannnerisms and thought. I did a paper on Chinese Culture as an optional subject when I was in University way back in 1973, where I read Economics. I am very fortunate that whatever I have learnt, though it is still very much at an amateur level, I am able to bring joy to thousands of people in my country as well as abroad, as I frequently write at leading hotels and places of tourist attractions. For the past four years, I have been raising money for poor Chinese schools ( esp. during the Lunar Festival) through my calligraphic efforts. Now I have designed my own paper and promote my country as part of a tourist activity, mostly writing names of foreigners and greetings, including many from China, Hong Kong, Korea, Japan and the West.

My ultimate and silent goal ( by 2006 ) and god willing, is to put up a building, of traditional Chinese style, on a five acre site, where Chinese Culture and Art will be taught and preserved in my country. I am 100% confident of acquiring the land for such purpose from my government and raising 100 % funds solely through my writings, as I am very well accepted by members of the Chinese community and others in my state and country.This is in view of the many difficulties I face in learning about this dying art and its appreciation.

I am a recent graduate of the University of Georgia's College of Arts and Sciences, where I received a Bachelor's in English. In my study of English, I found myself constantly studying how writers put words together to produce artistic expression. Writers would use specific writing conventions (i.e. free verse, sonnets, or odes) and certain rhyme and dialectal schemes (i.e. couplets, slant rhyme, and the "nonstandard" dialect often encountered in the works of Mark Twain) to express emotions or to illustrate a thought or memory. However, the words and the language only gain artful expression in what they describe and how they describe it. In non-romanized written languages, such as Chinese, Japanese, and Arabic, the actual written words themselves become art. For example, a Chinese poem could be artistic in meaning and form, but the very brushstrokes used in drafting the poem itself constitutes art. As I've read in various art! icles dealing with calligraphy, there are several different styles of writing of this sort, and all of them have to do with who the author is and the "feel" of the artist as he writes. That's another advantage of calligraphy: while I may use question marks and exclamation marks to express a given emotion using romanized characters, there's no way for anyone to truly grasp the emotions I'm trying to inject into my writing (particularly when words are typed). When calligraphy is added to a watercolor or engraving (as is done on Hokusai's "The Great Wave," for example) the viewer in effect receives a "double dose" of artistic flair; the artistic experience is enriched and enhanced by the writing that accompanies it. Just about all the artwork I collect is of Asian origin, because to me, it's one thing to look at a Rembrandt or an Impressionist painting and derive a theory about what you think it means or what message the artist was trying to convey, but it's another thing altogether to see a work in which the artist himself adds his own opinion or comment to the work (which is the purpose I suppose the calligraphy is intended for when added to paintings). You sense the presence of an actual person behind the artwork.

Finally, probably the main reason I am fascinated by calligraphy is that European ideas and philosophies--once drafted in an Asian writing form--take on a much more substantial meaning than they possess in romanized text (at least to me). For example, on one web site, I was able to find out what the word "love" looked like in calligraphic form. I don't exactly remember what it looked like, but it looked quite complex. There was a multitude of squares and dashes within lines within squares and dashes, just as a rose is composed of numerous whirls of petals and as love itself is a multifaceted and complex ideal. In a way, I could "see" what I thought of love through what I was looking at.

As for my interest in the "Han Jian 1" piece, I was primarily interested in it because I'm partial to thick, black-ink brushstrokes on a white background. Simply put, the piece was aesthetically appealing. If the piece told a story or documented a facet of history, that would be even more fascinating. The fascination comes from decrypting an unknown language or writing form and uncovering a wealth of knowledge that you would have never known about. I apologize for my lengthy composition, but I am, after all, an English major. I thank you for your time, and appreciate you giving me the opportunity to share my thoughts about this subject.

Dear Dr. Lee,

My name is Lisa Liew from Magazines Incorporated Pte Ltd, Singapore. With a work assignment at hand, I was browsing through the internet to find out more about Chinese Calligraphy. In the course of internet browsing, I came across your website, asiawind.com and your calligraphy works have
overwhelmed me - the wide variations of beautiful strokes as well as the meanings behind them all. The 15minute period has awed me and it made me feel even closer to my Chinese roots. ....

Dear Dr. Siu-Leung Lee;

Greetings from Florida and best wishes for the new year!!
I am writing to express my appreciation for the excellent web pages of Asiawind dealing with the main scripts and examples of many styles which have developed.

Carl F. Pihl (Florida)
Date: Mon, 27 Dec 1999 14:15:07 -0500

What an awesome site! It is taking me a while to go through it; there's so much.

Date: Sun, 04 Jul 1999 07:00:15 -0400
From: Tenryu Shin <amanojaku@worldnet.att.net>

I'd like to reserve a copy(of your book Caigentan). Please contact me when the book's published.

From: "Chin Yee" <chinyee@jol.com.jm>
Subject: book....caigentan.....quotations....please reserve two copies....for possible year 2000 publication
Date: Tue, 29 Jun 1999 23:24:14 -0500

Where can I get a copy of the book .....caigentan:vegetable roots quotations.please reserve two copies for possible year 2000 publication.

Date: Thu, 22 Apr 1999 13:05:05 -0700 (PDT)
From: akita ling <akitaling@yahoo.com>

Hi Dr. Lee,

I am very interested in picking up chinese calligraphy and would
appreciate if you can give me the insights on how to start.

I am originally from Hong Kong and my exposure to chinese calligraphy is
through the chinese class in the elementary school years. In those
days, the way I learned chinese calligraphy was through the 'COPY
BOOK'. Should I do the same now? Or, should I find a tutor/teacher on
this? If so, do you have any recommendations in the Bay
Area(California)?

Thank you very much.

regards,
Akita

Dear Siu-Leung Lee:

Please let me know more about the publication of your book "Caigentan:
Vegetable Roots - Quotations" A book of wisdom integrating Confucianism, Buddhism and Daoism. I have seen what you have put up on the web site and definitely would like a copy. Please let me know how I can do this. I am willing to send an advance check to you prior to publication in order to secure a copy. I eagerly look forward to your reply!
Sincerely,

Michael Anderko

Date: Mon, 15 Mar 1999 14:12:18 -0500
From: "Luc, Khai-Quang (K.Q.), ALTCH" kqluc@att.com

Congratulation for setting up such a great web site. I haven't had enough
time to surf the complete site yet. So far, Caigentan is great. Appreciate
if you can let me know whenever the book is available.

Thanks again,
K.Q. Luc
kqluc@att.com

Hi Mr. Siu-Leung Lee,

I am impressed by your precise articles in Chinese calligraphy!
Because I am a art school student, I would like to share the information of this web site with my professor and classmates in my seminar.
My professor suggested that, it will be better to give a little background information of the author of the article. So, can you do me the favor, to write a small biography of yourself for me? It doesn't need to be long, one paragraph is great.
Thank you very much.

Date: Thu, 5 Nov 1998 07:12:56 -0600
From: Akeshara

Hi, I visited your Website, it is the best I've seen on this subject.
May I add it to the Links of the Sumi-e Society Website?

Sande
Silver Dragon Studio

Date: Thu, 5 Nov 1998 07:52:22 -0600
From: Akeshara
Hi again,

I would LOVE to learn calligraphy! and I know several of the other
members would also. I have a book on Sacred Calligraphy and occasionally
attempt but I've been unsuccessful in finding formal instruction. I thought
if I could learn enough I could incorporate calligraphy more fully into my
paintings. I just logged on and haven't had the opportunity to explore your
Website fully (but I will :o) what is the best method of learning? Do you
have a book? If not, maybe you should consider writing one, there is such
scant instruction available.

Date: Fri, 02 Oct 1998 10:33:29 -0300
From: "[iso-8859-1] martº« [iso-8859-1] p¡¡ez" (Argentina)
Siu-Leung Lee,

i was delighted to receive the calligraphy pieces yesterday. they are simply
beautiful! i think i can now start to understand everything i had heard
about how calligraphy is an art in itself. thanks so much.

Date: Sat, 26 Sep 1998 15:01:29 -0500
From: "Julie \"Julie\" Minn"
Hi: I am a Chinese language and Chinese culture instructor of Truman State
University at Kirksville, Missouri. I found your comment and work of art on
the page of Caigentan are beautifully done I would like to have your
permission to copy the pictures and the translations of the poetry for my
students and my collages. I also would like to know where and how I can buy
this book. Thank you very much.

Date: Tue, 15 Sep 1998 15:28:49 -0500
From: Dean Barnard

I have enjoyed immensely the plates and texts, and have two questions:
1, is the book itself available, and if so where and how much? 2) when
it comes time for me to order the second of my pieces of calligraphy,
would you be able to do them in the style shown in these pictures (and
what is this style--it is beautiful!)

Date: Mon, 07 Sep 1998 21:57:25 -0400
From: "EDMUND Y.L. TONG"
Sir: never before I met an artist like you - a learned teacher of ancient
Chinese culture and yet fluent and artistic in English. It comes to my mind that one day those artists who contribute so much to the circle, could have diversified their work into a simple and easy understanding wording, specially to the young generation. What a great impact and what a continuation of bringing the ancient culture to our beloved young ones. I wish my dream might come true one day.
Yours respectfully, Edmund Tong.

Date: Mon, 07 Sep 1998 01:08:52 -0400
From: "EDMUND Y.L. TONG"
Sir: Thank you very much for your E-mail. A wonderful and unexpected preview of your latest calligraphy, with the painting of m/s Fu Yi Yao. What a marvelous combination. It is just gorgeous! My congratulation to both of you. Will inform my friends for the appreciation and reading enjoyment. Best regards.
Edmund Tong,
Toronto Ontario.

Date: Fri, 04 Sep 1998 22:51:19 -0400
From: "EDMUND Y.L. TONG"

Dear Sirs: I enjoy reading all your calligraphy and arts display. Would
appreciate very much if you could provide Chinese explanation to
preserve all the original taste and enhance the feeling or reading them.
Thanks a million. E. Tong, Toronto Ontario Canada.

Hi SL,

You did some great calligraphy for me for my book The Loom of God.
Would you be interested in doing something similar for my Oxford
University Press book on the Fourth Dimension? The book deals with
mostly the science of hyperspace, and a possible fourth spatial
dimension. There is also some spirituality. It might be nice to have
a calligraphic representation for a relevant phrase. I'm not sure
what it might be. Perhaps "We surf in infinite space" or "We travel
in higher spaces."

Date: Sun, 24 May 1998 21:58:13, -0500
From: MS ELISA M NICHOLAS-MCGEE

I really enjoyed your web page. It gave a brief, but thorough
description of the role and influence of Chinese calligraphy. I am
an art student at the University of California, in Davis. While we
regrettably have no program to really study Chinese calligraphy, nor
Chinese art in general, I have studied it independently when my time
allows. What I find most interesting is that Taoist principles (like
wu-wei, li, yin-yang, etc.) underly so much of the art of many Asian
countries, like Japan, my mother's native country, and they derive
from China, which led to to study Chinese art.

Date: Sun, 12 Apr 1998 22:15:03 +1200
From: JT
Hi Mr. Siu-Leung Lee
Your knowledge in Chinese art and calligraphy is extremely good and will
benefit more Chinese people around the world if we can create a link to your
site. Your work should be more expose to the over sea Chinese communities so
that they can really appreciate Chinese art and culture.
I am J Tan from Huaren (Chinese in mandarin). Our web site www.huaren.org
is a non profit organization to promote peace, kinship and cooperation among
Chinese in every field including Chinese business cooperation. At the moment
we are lending our support to the Chinese in Indonesia to help them prevent
further racial discrimination against them. We have a lot of support from other Chinese web sites ranging from professional (scientists etc) to business.
Please visit our web sites and check it up thoroughly and hope you will let
us create a link to your web site in our Friend section. We have a strong
desire to help foster kinship among Chinese and as you can see we are having
a lot of Chinese visitors. Please check our Guest book for comment.
JT

Date: Fri, 10 Apr 1998 18:25:51 +0200
From: Ute Dietmar
Dear Mr Lee,

I just read your epilog and found it most interesting. Where did you
find the quotation of Picasso about Chinese calligraphy? I know quite a
lot about the impact of Chinese calligraphy on painters like Tobey and
Pollock (there is a German Ph.D. thesis by a Chinese author on this
published in 1985) but I didn't know about Picasso and Matisse. I am
myself a student of the history of european art and sinology in Berlin,
and right now I am writing my M.A. thesis on the influence of Chinese
and Japanese calligraphy on contemporary German calligraphy.

I hope to hear from you,

Sincerely

Date: Thu, 29 Jan 1998 23:25:24 +0100
From: "Alfred W. T÷òing"
Dear Mr. Lee,

I have visited your calligraphy site and was very impressed. So I added
a link to your pages. I really admire the Lan Ting Prologue written in
your own brush writing: I think it is not to easy to hold one's
concentration in writing a calligraphy character text that long, rather
than doing a brush writing with only one or two chinese characters. But
I also was touched by those lines' content deeply reflecting the passing
of time and the transitoriness of all beings: This is the main idea I
found in ancient chinese poetry. Would you please allow me to include
the Lan Ting text to my page "Traces of Butterfly's Dreams"? Would it be
possible to provide me a more detailed part of your beautiful brush
piece (beginning about "Things do change, only our feelings linger.
...")?

With best regards

Alfred W. T÷òing

Date: Sat, 27 Dec 1997 09:26:02 +0900
From: richard smith

Thanks for your efforts on the net re Calligraphy. I'm living in
SthKorea at the moment and have decided to learn Chinese calligraphy.
can you suggest a good, cheap and basic book for me to start with.
The books I have available here are in Korean and Chinese, I'd prefer
English and Chinese. I have spent hours so far learning the fiest 2
brush strokes and instead of being bored I am captivated.

Regards Richard

Hi,

I recently became interested in chinese calligraphy after reading RL
Wing's interpretation of the classic "The Art of War" I scanned some of
the ideograms as he calls them, and posted them on a section on my web
site. I've decided to read up a bit more. Thank you very much for your
informative web site. I haven't gone through all the links yet but I'm
working at it.

I publish a Chinese - English Local Newspaper in Arizona. U.S.A. I
would like to use the information you have posted relating to Chinese
Calligraphy. Our paper is a free publication, with a circulation of
4000 as of our Sixth monthly issue. We disrtibute from northern Arizona
to southern Arizona and it has been very well received by the local
Chinese Community. I, like many of the young American Chinese do not
speak read or write Chinese so I feel it is important to include this
type of information in English. My partner, who is Old generation
Chinese is fluent in the language and incorporates our Chinese
information. Our next issue has to go to print on the 17th of this
month. I would like to have your permission to publish this educational
info. Thank you very much.
Sincerely,
Neil H. Rothal
Overseas Chinese Times

Date: Wed, 01 Oct 1997 06:36:55 -0300
From: Ng E-Ching
Dear Dr Lee,

Thanks for correcting me! I have changed "his commentary" on
http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Towers/3171/jin_sui.htm
to "Dr Siu-Leung Lee's commentary". I've also looked at your site - it's
wonderful, and I hope to visit it again when I have more time, so that I
can learn more. I have linked to it under
http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Towers/3171/others.htm

If you don't see these changes when you load these pages, it's possible
that you need to press [Reload] for your computer/proxy to load a new copy.
One more thing - should I link to your Lanting Xu commentary on your site,
or the one on Dr Pei's site? I would prefer to link to your site, since it
includes your lovely copy of it.

Date: Wed, 1 Oct 1997 17:15:08 -0400 (EDT)
From: P0CHI@aol.com

Hi. I've enjoyed visiting your page. I'm working on an ancient China
webpage, and I'm looking for the characters "China" in Chinese calligraphy.
However, I still haven't found it. Do you happen to have or seen "China"
written in Chinese calligraphy. If so, would you please tell me?

Tina

Date: Thu, 17 Jul 97 06:46:25 UT
From: Anian Christoph Wimmer

Dear Dr. Siu-Leung Lee,

i would like to thank you for the beautiful calligraphy you have posted on
your (by the way quite remarkable) web site. i have downloaded it - if i may
-for my collection of asian art from the web, which consists mostly of
calligraphy. it's a gem :-)

Date: Tue, 08 Jul 97 10:01:21 0000
From: Marcy Greene

I am enjoying your website very much and appreciate your efforts. I am
very interested in learning basic chinese caligraphy. I have obtained
the brushes and ink stone. I am looking for a book which would teach
the basic strokes. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you very much,

Joe and Marcy

Greetings S L! Thanks for the speedy reply.
We found your website using the infoseek search engine under caligraphy.
That turned up 268 sites which we refined by using the word chinese. That narrowed it
to 29. Yours was exactly what we were looking for.

Date: Wed, 09 Jul 1997 21:41:48 -0700
From: Halvor Ronneng

Siu-Leung Lee

First I want to commend you on your Chinese Calligraphy site. Your
Epilogue is one of the best short introductions to Chinese Calligraphy I
have ever read.
Thank you for sharing your site.

Halvor Ronneng
Oslo Norway

Date: Sat, 12 Apr 1997 11:24:20 -0400 (EDT)
From: Henry R Harbaugh

This site looks like it will be extremely interesting. Please let me know
when it's public so I can add a link. Do you have any ideas on fonts for
jiaguwen, jinwen, xiaozhuan or others? They would help my etymology
explanations a lot.

Rick
_______________________________________________________________
Rick Harbaugh
Department of Economics, FQ 4S51
University of Pittsburgh

Date: Sun, 08 Dec 1996 06:49:56 -0800
From: Patrick Boutin

Dear Dr.Lee,

I would first like to tell you how much I appreciate your
translation of the "lanting xu", it has been very helpful to me for I
have just begun writing an essay about Wang Xizhi's calligraphy. I've
learned for only three years now and it would have been impossible for me
to understand it.

Date: Thu, 31 Oct 1996 12:46:14 -0800
From: Michael Rosenthal

Dear Siu-Leung,

I received your calligraphy just now. I really like it. I find the
individual characters very stylish and the composition of each character
and placement on the page very strong as well. I like the ancient form
of heart and the stength of mountain and river. I liked the differences between the characters heart and down that appear more than once.

Date: Fri, 01 Nov 1996 11:16:40 -0800
From: Michael Rosenthal

Dear Siu-Leung,

I really enjoy your piece. And I had a high expectation before I
received it. I like the uniform thickness of line as well. I'm suprised
that master Han doesn't often do what I call inward calligraphy. I've
seen this very stong inward writing like yours from him and I wonder why
it isn't his preferred style.

I'm impressed about your work. I'll send the print-out to my aunt.
Thanks again for your warm mail.

regards,

Masahide Kanzaki

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