Jakushitsu Genkō

Place: Japan

Born: 1290

Death: 1367

Biography:

Jakushitsu Genkō (寂室元光, June 23, 1290 – September 25, 1367) was a Japanese Rinzai master, poet, flute player, and first abbot of Eigen-ji. His poetry is considered to be among the finest of Zen poetry. He traveled to China and studied Ch'an with masters of the Linji school from 1320 to 1326, then returned to Japan and lived for many years as a hermit.

Early Life and Career

Jakushitsu Genkō was born in 1290 in Japan. Little is known about his early life, but it is believed that he began studying Zen at a young age. He traveled to China in 1320 to study Ch'an with masters of the Linji school, where he spent six years learning from prominent teachers of the time.

Artistic Style and Influences

Jakushitsu Genkō's poetry is characterized by its simplicity, clarity, and depth. His poems often explore themes of nature, impermanence, and the search for enlightenment. Jakushitsu Genkō was influenced by the Chinese tradition of literati painting, but his work is distinctly Japanese in style. Key influences on Jakushitsu Genkō's work include:

The Linji school of Ch'an Buddhism
The poetry of Fujiwara no Teika and other Japanese poets
The Chinese tradition of literati painting, as seen in the works of Lu You

Notable Works and Legacy

Jakushitsu Genkō's poetry is considered to be among the finest of Zen poetry. His poems are included in several anthologies, including the Shokukokin Wakashū. He also wrote a number of essays on Zen Buddhism, which are still studied today. Notable works by Jakushitsu Genkō include:

Poems of the Five Mountains, a collection of poems exploring themes of nature and impermanence
The Shin Kokin Wakashū, an imperial anthology of waka poetry

Jakushitsu Genkō's legacy extends beyond his own work. He was a key figure in the development of Zen Buddhism in Japan, and his teachings continue to influence Buddhist practitioners today. For more information on Jakushitsu Genkō and his work, visit https://Wikioo.org/@/Jakushitsu-Genko or the Wikipedia page dedicated to his life and work. The Museum Abbotsford House (Scotland) also has a collection of Japanese art, including works by Jakushitsu Genkō.