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

Sekishitsu Zenkyu (1294–1389) was living in Chikuzen (the current northwestern part of Fukuoka). In 1318, he went to Yuan China and studied under Kurin Seimu (also called Mukurin). After he came back to Japan in 1326, he became the head of Tenryuji Temple and then Kenchoji Temple. He is also known as the founder of Heirinji Temple in Musashi. Upon the 13th anniversary of the death of Getsurin Doko, Zenkyu's condisciple under Mukurin in China and the founder of Chofukuji Temple in Kyoto, Zenkyu conducted the memorial service at the request of Doko's disciples. This calligraphy shows his preaching at the service in 1363 and his handwriting at the age of 70.