Editing Lantingji Xu (section)

===Role of rubbings===
Reproduction of inscriptions on stone (or other depictions on other hard surfaces) through a process of rubbing at the surface, using a combination of ink and paper or other absorbent material, has a long history in China, and has been central to cultural preservation and understanding, including the ''Lantingji Xu''.<ref>Starr, Kenneth. ''Black Tigers: A Grammar of Chinese Rubbings''. (2008). Seattle: University of Washington Press. {{ISBN|978-0-295-98811-5}}, ''ix'' and 191</ref> The discussion around the Orchid pavilion preface, revived from the 1980s, with supporters of Wang’s ''Langtingji Xu'' countering the above arguments with rubbing examples such as Figures 5 and 6, suggesting the formation of the Running Style was already complete before Wang’s time. In addition, since the preface was attributed by the later ages to Wang, it is not surprising that more than one name may exist pointing to the same work. In fact, before Liu Xiaobiao’s annotations, the earlier version of the ''Shishuo Xinyu'' compiled by the first editor Liu Yiqing (403 – 444) was already referring to the preface by Wang as ''Lantingji Xu'' The revision of the content may also be understood as a common practice applied in historical annotated books like the ''Shishuo Xinyu''.<ref name=":0" /> When it comes to Wang’s ideology, by the time the preface was created, Wang was in his early fifties and had experienced chaos of the wars and the disintegration of his nation. Hence, some scholars proposed that rather than pessimism, the content should be explained as a reflection of Wang’s Confucian, Buddhist and Taoist influences instead. These arguments, as a result, led to a broader modern recognition that the ''Lantingji Xu'' was originally produced by Wang.
{| class="wikitable"
![[File:西岳华山庙碑 .jpg|thumb|Figure 3 Yanxi, details of ''Huashanmiao'', Han dynasty, stone rubbing. Collection of Hong Kong Chinese University (Clerical Script)]]
![[File:爨宝子碑.jpg|thumb|Figure 4 Details of ''Cuanbaizi'', 405 CE, stone rubbing. (Transition between the Clerical Script and [[Regular script|Regular Script]])]]
![[File:钟繇.jpg|thumb|Figure 5 Zhongyao, details of ''Hejie Biao,'' 219 CE, stone rubbing. (Running Style)]]
![[File:张芝.jpg|thumb|Figure 6 Zhangzhi, ''Guanjun Tie'', 2nd century, stone rubbing. (Cursive Style)]]
|}