Jakushitsu Genkō

Jakushitsu Genkō
Jakushitsu Genkō, was a notable poet and flute player.
Title	Zen master poet 1st abbot of Eigen-ji
Personal
Born	June 23, 1290 Kamakura, Kanagawa, Japan
Died	September 25, 1367
Religion	Zen Buddhism
Nationality	Japanese
School	Rinzai

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 (constructed solely for him to teach Zen). 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. It was only toward the end of his life that he decided to teach Zen to others.

See also

• Buddhism in Japan
• List of Rinzai Buddhists

References

• Keown, Damien (2003). A Dictionary of Buddhism. Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-860560-9.
• Ury, Marian (1992). Poems of the Five Mountains: An Introduction to the Literature of the Zen Monasteries. Center for Japanese Studies, University of Michigan. ISBN 0-939512-53-X.

Further reading

• Braverman, Arthur (2000). A Quiet Room: The Poetry of Zen Master Jakushitsu. Tuttle Publishing. ISBN 0-8048-3213-7.