“The Difficulties of the Journey” — Hard-Pen Calligraphy by Dong Yuxi, Age 9

Description :

This hard-pen calligraphy piece by Dong Yuxi, a 9-year-old student from Beijing, presents the powerful Tang dynasty poem “Xing Lu Nan” (The Difficulties of the Journey) by Li Bai. The poem reflects the poet’s frustration and persistence when facing life’s obstacles—yet also his ultimate hope and grandeur of spirit.

The child’s steady and expressive regular script captures this emotional arc with clarity and conviction beyond her age.

“The road ahead is hard and long,
And I will keep going —
Riding the wind to break the waves,
I will set sail across the vast sea.”
(Excerpt translation)

Poem Title:
《行路难》 Xing Lu Nan (The Difficulties of the Journey)
By Li Bai (李白), Tang Dynasty

Calligraphy Style:
Hard-Pen

Dimensions:
21 × 29.7 cm
(8 1/4 × 11 7/10 in)

About the Artist:

• Dong Yuxi, Female, Age 9

• Student at Jingya Moyuan Calligraphy Studio, Beijing

• Member of the Children’s Division of the China Hard-Pen Calligraphy Association

• Awards:

  • First Prize, Preliminary Round, 2nd "Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao" Youth Calligraphy Competition

  • Gold Prize, Finals, Hard-Pen Division