前後赤壁賦 The ode of Red Cliff

【About the author】

祝允明，字希哲，號枝山。因生而右手有六指，自號「枝指生」。明代文學家，書法家，長洲（今江蘇蘇州）人。當時與徐禎卿、唐寅、文徵明號稱「吳中四才子」。〈前後赤壁賦〉是宋朝蘇軾的作品。本帖是祝枝山的草書代表作。此帖用筆多取偏側之勢，點畫硬挺，結構縱橫多姿，氣勢縱逸豪放。

Inside Story

This is one of the best-known poems of Tungpo. The primary idea sets on the uncertainty of life. While being demoted, Tungpo made a trip to Red Cliff and saw the magnificent prospect of Red Cliff; as he recalled all sorts of occurrences happened in Three Kingdoms Dynasty he sensed the insignificance of human beings and felt sorrow over the uncertainty of life. Despite his sadness, he realized if one’s spirit is not bounded by temporal fame and fortune; if one can live as free as the nature, life will remain eternal.