- 清拙正澄墨蹟 法語
- By Qingzhuo Zhengcheng
- 1 hanging scroll
- Ink on paper Hanging scroll
- H 33.1, W 102.0
- Kamakura period/Karyaku 2 (1327)
- Nara National Museum
- 1017(書63)
Qingzhuo Zhengcheng (J. Seisetsu Shōchō; posthumous title Daikan Zenji; 1274–1339) was a Chan (J. Zen) master that came to Japan during China’s Yuan dynasty (1271–1368). He contributed to the development of the Zen school in Japan by compiling works like Daikan’s Rules of Purity (J. Daikan shingi) that outlined rules for Zen temples in ways that suited Japanese cultural practices. He was the dharma heir of Yuji Zhihui (dates unknown) and the younger brother of Yuejiang Zhengyin (b. 1267). Qingzhuo was invited to Japan at the age of 53 in Karyaku 1 (Taiding 3/1326) by the shogunal regent Hōjō Takatoki (1303–1333) and became the 22nd abbot of Kenchōji Temple in Kamakura. He later became abbot of Engakuji Temple and Nanzenji Temple. In Genkō 3 (1333), he succeeded the 23rd abbot of Kenninji Temple in Kyoto by the imperial order of Emperor Go-Daigo (1288–1339; r. 1318–1339). Qingzhuo wrote this text on the 22nd day of the 4th month of Karyaku 2 (May 14, 1327 [Julian calendar]) while residing at Kenchōjii Temple. It is a sermon for a priest named Gessō (dates unknown) on the key to enlightenment and quotes the Tang priest Deshan Xuanjian (780–865). The entire text is comprised of 27 lines and includes the year, his signature, his stylized monogram (kaō), and seal. The work is a well-known example of Qingzhuo’s calligraphy. Gessō’s identity is not known, but he is thought to have been an important figure in the Kamakura shogunate.
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