Yu Shinan
Yu Shinan (558 – 11 July 638), courtesy name Boshi, posthumously known as Duke Wenyi of Yongxing, was a Chinese calligrapher and politician who lived in the early Tang dynasty and rose to prominence during the reign of Emperor Taizong. His uncle, Yu Ji (虞寄), also served in the Tang imperial court as an Imperial Secretary. He is regarded as one of the four greatest calligraphers in the early Tang dynasty along with Ouyang Xun, Chu Suiliang and Xue Ji, and one of the more famous ones in the history of Chinese calligraphy.
Also recorded as Boshi · Seinan Gu · Wenyi
Yu Shinan

Yu Shi-Nan · Public domain
- Name
- Yu Shinan 虞世南
- Born
- 558
- Birthplace
- Yuyao, Zhejiang
- Died
- 638 7 11
- Occupation
- Calligrapher, politician Yu Shinan (558 – 11 July 638), courtesy name Boshi, posthumously known as Duke Wenyi of Yongxing, was a Chinese calligrapher and politician who lived in the early Tang dynasty and rose to prominence during the reign of Emperor Taizong.
- Nationality
- Tang dynasty
- Teachers
- Zhiyong
- Languages
- Chinese
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Documentary summary
Yu Shinan (558 – 11 July 638), courtesy name Boshi, posthumously known as Duke Wenyi of Yongxing, was a Chinese calligrapher and politician who lived in the early Tang dynasty and rose to prominence during the reign of Emperor Taizong. His uncle, Yu Ji (虞寄), also served in the Tang imperial court as an Imperial Secretary. He is regarded as one of the four greatest calligraphers in the early Tang dynasty along with Ouyang Xun, Chu Suiliang and Xue Ji, and one of the more famous ones in the history of Chinese calligraphy.
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Biography
Biography
Emperor Taizong once mentioned that Yu Shinan was "a man of five absolute merits", referring to his virtuous behavior, loyalty, erudition, writings and calligraphy.

China; Rubbing; Rubbing
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China; Rubbing; Rubbing
This file was donated to Wikimedia Commons as part of a project by the Metropolitan Museum of Art. See the Image and Data Resources Open Access Policy
Key facts
Key facts
• Name — Yu Shinan 虞世南 • Born — 558 • Birthplace — Yuyao, Zhejiang • Died — 638 7 11 • Other Names — * Boshi (伯施) • Duke Wenyi of Yongxing (永興文懿公) • Father — Yu Li • Relatives — * Yu Ji (uncle) • Yu Shiji (elder brother) • Children — * Yu Xu • Yu Xiuyao • one other daughter • Occupation — Calligrapher, politician Yu Shinan (558 – 11 July 638), courtesy name Boshi, posthumously known as Duke Wenyi of Yongxing, was a Chinese calligrapher and politician who lived in the early Tang dynasty and rose to prominence during the reign of Emperor Taizong. His uncle, Yu Ji (虞寄), also served in the Tang imperial court as an Imperial Secretary. He is regarded as one of the four greatest calligraphers in the early Tang dynasty along with Ouyang Xun, Chu Suiliang and Xue Ji, and one of the more famous ones in the history of Chinese calligraphy. Emperor Taizong once mentioned that Yu Shinan was "a man of five absolute merits", referring to his virtuous behavior, loyalty, erudition, writings and calligraphy.
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Cited by Wikipedia
Notes from the source article
These works are cited by the source article, in its own numbering. They are recorded as its citations, not as sources VALÉORINE has verified.
- 1.([贞观十二年]夏五月壬申,银青光禄大夫、永兴县公虞世南卒。) Jiu Tang Shu, vol.03. (寻卒,年八十一。) Jiu Tang Shu, vol.72
- 2.(太宗以是益亲礼之。尝称世南有五绝:一曰德行,二曰忠直,三曰博学,四曰文辞,五曰书翰。) Jiu Tang Shu, vol.72
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The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 17 August 2026.
Elsewhere in Books
39,285 published records in this field, each with its sources named.
- Yu Kwang-chungAuthor
- Yu LihuaAuthor
- Yu PingboAuthor
- Yu QianAuthor
- Yu WoAuthor
- Yu WulingAuthor
- Yu XinAuthor
- Yu XiuhuaAuthor
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