Taigu ryokan biography definition

Japanese Buddhist monk

This article is about the Zen monk.

Ryōkan spent much of his time writing poetry, calligraphy, and communing with nature.

For the Japanese type of inn, see Ryokan (inn).

Ryōkan Taigu (良寛大愚) (1758 – 18 February 1831)^[1] was a quiet and unconventional SōtōZen Buddhist monk who lived much of his life as a hermit. Ryōkan is remembered for his poetry and calligraphy, which present the essence of Zen life.

He is also known by the name Ryokwan in English.

Early life

Ryōkan was born Eizō Yamamoto (山本栄蔵, Yamamoto Eizō) in the village of Izumozaki in Echigo Province (now Niigata Prefecture) in Japan to the village headman.

He renounced the world at an early age to train at nearby Sōtō Zen temple Kōshō-ji, refusing to meet with or accept charity from his family.

Ryōkan was a Zen Buddhist priest of the late Tokugawa period (–) who was renowned as a poet and calligrapher.

Ryōkan Taigu (良寛大愚) ( – 18 February ) was a quiet and unconventional Sōtō Zen Buddhist monk who lived much of his life as a hermit.

Taigu Ryokan was a Japanese Zen Buddhist monk and poet of the Edo period, known for his unconventional lifestyle and unadorned, deeply personal poetry.

Taigu Ryokan lives on as one of Japan's best-loved poets, the wise fool who wrote of his humble life with directness.

Exemplary of the art of life are the art and life of the Japanese calligrapher, poet and Zen priest Ryokan Taigu.

Once the Zen master Kokusen visited the temple, and Ryōkan was deeply impressed with his demeanour. He solicited permission to become Kokusen's disciple. Kokusen accepted, and the two returned to Entsū-ji monastery in Tamashima (now Okayama Prefecture).

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