Changes

*''Born: c. [[1143]]''

*''Born: c. [[1143]]''

*''Died: [[1179]]''

*''Died: [[1179]]''

*''Japanese:'' 俊寛 ''(Shunkan)''

*''Japanese:'' 俊寛 ''(Shunkan)''

Shunkan was a [[Shingon]] monk who, after taking part in the [[Shishigatani Incident|Shishigatani plot]] to overthrow [[Taira no Kiyomori]], was exiled along with two others to Kikai-ga-shima. His story is featured in the ''[[Heike monogatari]]'', and in a number of traditional derivative works, including the [[Noh]] play ''[[Shunkan (play)|Shunkan]]'' and ''[[bunraku|jôruri]]'' play ''[[Heike Nyogo-ga-shima]]''. Twentieth century authors Kikuchi Kan and Akutagawa Ryûnosuke also produced works entitled ''Shunkan''.

Shunkan was a [[Shingon]] monk who, after taking part in the [[Shishigatani Incident|Shishigatani plot]] to overthrow [[Taira no Kiyomori]], was exiled along with two others to Kikai-ga-shima. His story is featured in the ''[[Heike monogatari]]'', and in a number of traditional derivative works, including the [[Noh]] play ''[[Shunkan (play)|Shunkan]]'' and ''[[bunraku|jôruri]]'' play ''[[Heike Nyogo-ga-shima]]''. Twentieth century authors Kikuchi Kan and Akutagawa Ryûnosuke also produced works entitled ''Shunkan''.

Later that year, according to the ''Heike monogatari'', when the Imperial consort [[Taira no Tokuko]] was pregnant with the future [[Emperor Antoku]] and was having difficulties, Kiyomori, her father, granted amnesty to Yasuyori and Naritsune, in order to appease their angry spirits, in the hopes of easing his daughter's pain. Shunkan was thus left alone on the island, the fourth exile Narichika having been executed by the Taira some time before.

Later that year, according to the ''Heike monogatari'', when the Imperial consort [[Taira no Tokuko]] was pregnant with the future [[Emperor Antoku]] and was having difficulties, Kiyomori, her father, granted amnesty to Yasuyori and Naritsune, in order to appease their angry spirits, in the hopes of easing his daughter's pain. Shunkan was thus left alone on the island, the fourth exile Narichika having been executed by the Taira some time before.

He was found two years later, in 1179, by a monk from his temple by the name of [[Ario|Ariô]], who brought a letter from his (Ariô's) daughter. Having already sunk into deep despair during his time alone on the island, Shunkan read the letter and made the decision to commit suicide. He refused food, and died of starvation. Ariō then brought the monk's ashes and bones back to the capital.

He was found two years later, in 1179, by a monk from his temple by the name of [[Ario|Ariô]], who brought a letter from his (Ariô's) daughter. Having already sunk into deep despair during his time alone on the island, Shunkan read the letter and made the decision to commit suicide. He refused food, and died of starvation. It's said that Ariō then brought the monk's ashes and bones back to the capital; nevertheless, graves for Shunkan can be found on both Kikaigajima and [[Io Torishima|Iô Torishima]] today.

==References==

==References==

*[[Karen Brazell|Brazell, Karen]]. ed. (1998). ''Traditional Japanese Theater''. New York: Columbia University Press.

*[[Karen Brazell|Brazell, Karen]]. ed. (1998). ''Traditional Japanese Theater''. New York: Columbia University Press.

*[[Helen Craig McCullough|McCullough, Helen Craig]]. (1988). ''The Tale of the Heike''. Stanford: Stanford University Press. ISBN 0-8047-1803-2

*[[Helen Craig McCullough|McCullough, Helen Craig]]. (1988). ''The Tale of the Heike''. Stanford: Stanford University Press. ISBN 0-8047-1803-2

*[[George Bailey Sansom|Sansom, George]] (1958). ''A History of Japan to 1334''. Stanford, California: Stanford University Press. pp267-9.

*[[George Bailey Sansom|Sansom, George]] (1958). ''A History of Japan to 1334''. Stanford, California: Stanford University Press. pp267-9.

[[Category:Religious Figures]]

[[Category:Religious Figures]][[Category:Heian Period]]