Zhang Zhi (, died 192), courtesy name Boying (), was a Chinese calligrapher during the Han dynasty. Born in Jiuquan, Gansu, he was a pioneer of the modern cursive script, and was traditionally honored as the Sage of Cursive Script (). Furthermore, he is known as one of the Four Talented Calligraphers () in Chinese calligraphy.
Biography Zhang Zhi was the eldest son of Zhang Huan (; 104-181(光和四年卒，年七十八。) Houhanshu, vol.65), a military general; Zhang Zhi's younger brother Zhang Chang () was also a well-known calligrapher.([奂]长子芝，字伯英，最知名。芝及弟昶，字文舒，并善草书，至今称传之。) Houhanshu, vol.65
Despite the great fame he enjoyed in ancient times, no veritable works of Zhang Zhi's have survived. A catchphrase is attributed to him: "Too busy to write cursively" (), which shows that the execution of cursive script, though originally invented for the sake of time-saving, requires a tranquil frame of mind.
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References
Bibliography Zhong, Mingshan, ""Zhang Zhi". Encyclopedia of China (Arts Edition), 1st ed.