A Narrative on Calligraphy by Sun Guoting - Translated by KS Vincent POON and Kwok Kin POON Revised and Enchanced Edition

A Narrative on Calligraphy (Shu Pu, 書譜)  was written in 687AD by the renowned Tang dynasty calligrapher Sun Guoting (孫過庭) of the seventh century and is regarded to be one of the most important narratives in examining the traditional art of Chinese calligraphy.  Yet, there is currently no satisfactory English translation of it.  This book provides readers an accurate, annotated, line-by-line, consistent and comprehensive English translation of A Narrative on Calligraphy.  Furthermore, various major and fundamental mistakes found in the two previous English translations by Chang & Frankel and De Laurentis are detailed and discussed.  

This book is the revised and enhanced version of the previous book and delivers an even more precise translation with 20 titled thematic paragraphs that is based on Dr. Kwok Kin POON’s The Vernacular Chinese Translation of Sun Guoting’s A Narrative on Calligraphy  (孫過庭書譜白話對譯.  Toronto: The SenSeis, Feb. 2019). 

Kwan Sheung Vincent Poon (潘君尚, 1979-) was born in Hong Kong, graduated from Ying Wa College in 1996, and later emigrated to Canada.  Studying at the University of Toronto, he completed his BSc as the top graduate in Biochemistry and subsequently obtained his MSc and BEd degrees.  He published numerous biochemistry research papers and currently teaches Mathematics and Science at the Toronto District School Board.  His passion for Chinese calligraphy began at the age of six when he was under the tutelage of his father Kwok Kin POON (潘國鍵, PhD).  His books include A Narrative on Calligraphy by Sun Guoting (英譯書譜) as well as English Translation of Classical Chinese Calligraphy Masterpieces (英譯法書).

Kwok Kin Poon (潘國鍵, 1949- ) was born in Guangzhou, raised in Hong Kong, and now resides in Toronto. He graduated from The Chinese University of Hong Kong (BA, MPh, DipEd), the University of Hong Kong (MA,PhD), and OISE University of Toronto (MEd).  He studied Chinese history under Professor YAN Gengwang (嚴耕望), Chinese calligraphy under his grandfather TSE Hay (謝熙) and Chinese painting under RONG Shushi (容漱石).  Dr. POON is a seasoned teacher, researcher, calligrapher, columnist, and has held exhibitions in Hong Kong and Canada.  His publications include《北魏與蠕蠕關係研究》,《國鍵文集》,  《潘國鍵書法集》,《國鍵畫選》, 《孫過庭書譜白話對譯》,《寫在信仰荊途上》,《年在耳順》, etc.. He also co-authored with KS Vincent POON A Narrative on Calligraphy by Sun Guoting  (英譯書譜) and English Translation of Classical Chinese Calligraphy Masterpieces (英譯法書).