National Treasures & Important Cultural Properties
of National Institutes for Cultural Heritage, Japan

　This is a letter that Wuan Puning (Gottan Funei; 1197–1276) sent to Togan Ean (東巌慧安), the priest of Shodenji Temple in Kamo, Kyoto, on February of Kanjun 6 (1270) after returning to China.
　Wax-relief decorated paper with the pattern of a lotus pond is used. This letter states his appreciation for having received a letter of Togan Ean from Hongaku Shonin (the pupil of Togan Ean) who visited Wuzhou Shuanglin Temple in Zhejiang Province of China in earth-dragon year (1268) and his present situation, with a mention of his having written it as Hongaku Shonin would return to Japan. Wuan Puning also said in the letter that he would like to express his congratulations to his old acquaintances including Nijo Yoshizane and Hojo Tokisuke, which is notable in terms of his relationship with them at that time.
　Wuan Puning was a pupil of the Chinese Zen priest Bushun Shiban (無準師範). He came to Japan in Bun’o 1 (1260) and lived in Kenchoji Temple at the request of Hojo Tokiyori. After the death of Tokiyori, however, he couldn’t find any supporters and he returned home in Bun’ei 2 (1265). This letter in black ink, which describes the situation of Wuan Puning after his returning home, is valuable in terms of the exchange between Zen temples of Japan and those of China.