It is true that only those who have read the ancient texts can hold them in the greatest contempt. After all, you must know your enemy in order to discern his weaknesses and set his strengths against him.

Lu Xun (1881-1936) believed that true criticism requires an in-depth understanding of the subject being criticized in order to have an impact. An entire generation was shaken by the force of Lu Xun’s criticism of tradition, precisely because of his flawless grasp of such. Interestingly, the external perspective developed by Lu Xun was based on his extensive exposure to Western learning as an overseas student in Japan. At different periods in history, supporters of old and new have sought to dissociate themselves from calligraphic styles in vogue at the time. They felt that the future of calligraphy was in their hands. Arguments between these people often resulted in all-or-nothing propositions; they attempted to debate matters in terms of contemporary ideological trends for what they deemed the benefit of calligraphy.