No Chinese calligrapher would have such a special background like Qu Yulin, who is at the same time a martial art master. In traditional Chinese culture, those who were good at writings and paintings should be slim and pale, but Qu is strong and fit — with even a big sandbag in his study.

Born in a military family, Qu stayed in the army for more than 10 years, and gradually he developed a love into traditional Chinese calligraphy. He even invented his own style — bangshu, which features thick and heavy strokes and big characters.

Recently, he has developed his calligraphy art to another level by bringing it to Japan through exhibitions and seminars with Japanese artists.

“Japanese artists claim to have preserved the Chinese culture very well, and some even say their culture is more original than the Chinese,” Qu says. “So I think the two parts need to communicate and jointly study the traditional Chinese culture.”

Qu is now head of the calligraphy and painting institute in Xi’an, Shaanxi province. He regularly receives calligraphers from all over the country to appreciate artworks.

Qu says his vision is to spread the Chinese calligraphy culture and even the philosophy associated with it — before creating beautiful calligraphy, be a person with virtue first — to the world.

“I try to be a bridge between the Chinese and foreign cultures, through by brush pens,” Qu says.

During Qu’s traveling around the world, he finds that western audiences show great interest in Chinese calligraphy.

“Some audiences from Europe or the US don’t know what the characters mean, but they are fascinated with the art of brush pens, some compare it to the calligraphy of the Islamic calligraphy,” Qu says.

Recently, Qu is received by China’s famous calligrapher Ouyang Zhongshi as a student. “I hope I can inherit the best of Chinese calligraphy and pass it to the world.”