Zhou Pei

• Zhou Pei, courtesy name Mingyu and alternate sobriquet Beiye, was a native of Huating (present-day Songjiang, Shanghai). He attained the jinshi degree in the third year of the Hongzhi reign (1490) and rose in office to Langzhong of the Ministry of Justice. During the period when Liu Jin wielded power, Zhou Pei requested leave from office and retired into seclusion. Thereafter, he made it his daily practice to contemplate one hexagram of the Book of Changes, compose one poem, and write several sheets of calligraphy, maintaining this routine throughout the year. His poetry followed Tang models, and his calligraphy emulated Jin dynasty styles, both executed with disciplined technique.