- Born: 1767
- Died: 1832
- Titles: 古波蔵親方 (Kohagura ueekata)
- Other Names: 古波蔵爾方 (Kohagura Jihou)
- Japanese: 鄭嘉訓 (Tei Kakun)
Tei Kakun, also known by his Ryukyuan-style name Kohagura Jihô, was a prominent Ryukyuan calligrapher of the 18th-19th centuries.
He was born in Kumemura, and traveled to Fuzhou as a student in 1796; he would later travel to China three more times, as a member of tribute missions. He also served as the gieisei (head of street musicians) on a Ryukyuan embassy to Edo in 1806.[1] Later on, for a year and a half[1] from 1816 onward, he was ordered by the lord of Satsuma han to travel to Kagoshima, to teach calligraphy.
At age 58, he achieved the highest post in Kumemura, that of sôri tôeishi. A number of works by Kakun survive today.
His second son, Tei Gen'i, also became a noted calligrapher.[2]
References
- Gallery labels, Okinawa Prefectural Museum.
- "Tei Kakun," Okinawa Compact Encyclopedia 沖縄コンパクト事典, Ryukyu Shimpo, 1 March 2003.