Semi-cursive script

Semi-cursive script
Script type	Logographic
Time period	Han dynasty to present
Languages	Chinese, Vietnamese, Japanese, Korean
Related scripts
Parent systems	Oracle bone script Seal script Clerical script Cursive script Semi-cursive script
Child systems	Regular script
This article contains phonetic transcriptions in the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). For an introductory guide on IPA symbols, see Help:IPA. For the distinction between [ ], / / and ⟨ ⟩, see IPA § Brackets and transcription delimiters.

Semi-cursive script
"Semi-cursive script" written in regular script (left) and semi-cursive script (right).
Chinese name
Traditional Chinese	行書
Simplified Chinese	行书
Literal meaning	running script[1]
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin xíngshū Bopomofo ㄒㄧㄥˊ ㄕㄨ Wu Romanization ghaon平 sy平 Hakka Romanization hang11 su24 Yue: Cantonese Jyutping hang4 syu1 Southern Min Hokkien POJ hâng-su Middle Chinese Middle Chinese /ɦˠæŋ.ɕɨʌ/
Vietnamese name
Vietnamese alphabet	hành thư chữ hành
Hán-Nôm	行書 𡨸行
Korean name
Hangul	행서
Hanja	行書
Transcriptions Revised Romanization haengseo
Japanese name
Kanji	行書
Kana	ぎょうしょ
Transcriptions Romanization gyōsho

Semi-cursive script, also known as running script, is a style of Chinese calligraphy that emerged during the Han dynasty (202 BC – 220 AD). The style is used to write Chinese characters and is abbreviated slightly where a character's strokes are permitted to be visibly connected as the writer writes, but not to the extent of the cursive style.^[2] This makes the style easily readable by readers who can read regular script and quickly writable by calligraphers who require ideas to be written down quickly.^[2] In order to produce legible work using the semi-cursive style, a series of writing conventions is followed, including the linking of the strokes, simplification and merging strokes, adjustments to stroke order and the distribution of text of the work.^[3]

One of the most notable calligraphers who used this style was Wang Xizhi (303–361). Wang is known for the Lantingji Xu ('Preface to the Orchid Pavilion Collection'), a work published in 353 which remains highly influential to calligraphers throughout the Sinosphere.^[3] Semi-cursive script is prominent in modern Chinese society despite the lack of official education for it, a status aided by the introduction of fountain pens.