Chinese Regional Calligraphy: Material Foundations, Skill Transmission and Contemporary Dissemination

Abstract

Abstract: Regional characteristics contribute to the continuity of artistic traditions, yet research on Chinese regional calligraphy remains dispersed across material, historical, heritage, educational, tourism, and digital-media literatures. This review examined regional writing materials and tools, regional aesthetics, and contemporary transmission and dissemination. Scopus and the China National Knowledge Infrastructure overseas platform (Overseas CNKI) were searched from database inception to 16 August 2026. Eligible Chinese- or English-language journal articles addressed an identifiable geographical context in China or geographically associated calligraphic materials or tools and provided empirical, material, historical, observational, or original analytical evidence relevant to the review questions. Of 1,194 records identified, 29 studies were included after screening and were synthesised thematically. Regional materials and craft practices were linked to local resources, production methods, and skill transmission. Material properties such as absorption, diffusion, surface treatment, durability, and composition shaped writing conditions but did not independently determine regional aesthetics; historical models, techniques, reception, and local cultural contexts also contributed. Contemporary transmission involved intangible cultural heritage preservation, education, public practice, tourism, art markets, and digital media. Because the evidence base was methodologically heterogeneous and no single cross-design quality score was applied, the synthesis is descriptive and should be interpreted cautiously. Future research should connect material properties, specific artworks, and documented skill-learning processes through regionally grounded empirical research.