One of the calligraphy works that helped Zhang Kai secure the title of "Seven Sons of Lanting". [Photo/ntfabu.com]

Zhang Kai, a calligrapher in Nantong, East China's Zhejiang province, earned the honorable title of "Seven Sons of Lanting" at the sixth Lanting 42 Person-Exhibition on March 17.

Zhang became the first calligrapher in Nantong to receive the honor. His calligraphy works are currently on display at the exhibition.

Born in 1993, Zhang now works at the Nantong Calligraphy and Chinese Painting Research Institute and is also a member of the Chinese Calligraphers Association and specially-invited teacher at Nantong University, Hebei Academy of Fine Arts, and Beijing Renwen University.

One of the calligraphy works that helped Zhang Kai secure the title of "Seven Sons of Lanting". [Photo/ntfabu.com]

Organized by the Publicity Department of the CPC Zhejiang Provincial Committee, Zhejiang Provincial Federation of Literary and Art Circles, and Shaoxing municipal government, both the Lanting 42 Person-Exhibition and Seven Sons of Lanting selection activity are highly-respected national-level events.

Representing great honor in China's calligraphy community, Seven Sons of Lanting signifies the seven sons of Wang Xizhi (303-361), the most famous Chinese calligrapher of all time who was referred to as the Sage of Calligraphy, and also the seven awards of Lanting 42 Person-Exhibition.

The Lanting Pavilion in Shaoxing, Zhejiang province, was once the residence of Wang and the birthplace of his masterpiece A Preface to the Lanting Pavilion Poems.