Difference between revisions of "Muso Soseki"

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[[File:Engakuji-garden.jpg|right|thumb|500px|One of the gardens at [[Engaku-ji]], designed by Musô Soseki, and designated a Place of Scenic Beauty (''meishô'')]]
 
*''Born: [[1275]]''
 
*''Born: [[1275]]''
 
*''Died: [[1351]]''
 
*''Died: [[1351]]''
 
*''Japanese'': 夢窓疎石 ''(Musou Soseki)''
 
*''Japanese'': 夢窓疎石 ''(Musou Soseki)''
  
Musô Soseki was a [[Zen]] priest known for having founded a number of temples in [[Kamakura]].
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Musô Soseki was a [[Zen]] priest known for having founded a number of temples in [[Kamakura]], and as a designer of temple gardens. He was named ''kokushi'' ("national teacher") by seven emperors, and has been described as "probably the most famous monk of his time."<ref>de Bary, 310.</ref>
  
He first traveled to Kamakura from the capital in [[1326]]. As head of [[Jochiji|Jôchiji]], he founded Zuisen-in, now known as [[Zuisenji]]. After becoming the head of [[Engakuji]], he left Kamakura for a time, founding [[Tenryuji|Tenryûji]], [[Saihoji|Saihôji]], [[Shokokuji|Shôkokuji]]<ref>Mason, Penelope. ''History of Japanese Art''. Second Edition. Upper Saddle River NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2005. p224.</ref>, and other temples in the [[Kyoto]] area.
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When he was first offered the position of abbot of a Zen monastery in Kamakura by the [[Hojo clan (Hojo Regents)|Hôjô clan]], he initially refused, instead accepting an offer from [[Emperor Go-Daigo]] to become the abbot of a temple in Kyoto, in [[1325]]. He resigned the following year, however, traveling to Kamakura and taking up a position as an abbot at that time. As head of [[Jochiji|Jôchiji]], he founded Zuisen-in, now known as [[Zuisen-ji (Kamakura)|Zuisen-ji]]. After becoming the head of [[Engakuji]], in conjunction with the [[1333]] [[fall of Kamakura]], he returned to Kyoto, founding [[Saiho-ji|Saihô-ji]], [[Shokoku-ji|Shôkoku-ji]]<ref>Mason, Penelope. ''History of Japanese Art''. Second Edition. Upper Saddle River NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2005. p224.</ref>, and other temples in the [[Kyoto]] area, designing the gardens at Zuisenji and Saihôji as well.
  
He was well-connected politically, interacting with the likes of [[Emperor Go-Daigo]] and members of the [[Hojo clan|Hôjô]] and [[Ashikaga clan]]s, and is also known as a skilled designer of gardens. He is particularly famous for the gardens at Zuisenji and Saihôji.
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Following Go-Daigo's fall and the establishment of the [[Ashikaga shogunate]] in [[1336]], Soseki then gained the patronage of [[Ashikaga Takauji]], who in [[1339]] had him establish [[Tenryu-ji|Tenryû-ji]] in Go-Daigo's memory.
  
 
==References==
 
==References==
 
*"Musô Soseki." [http://www.kamakura-burabura.com/jinbutum2.htm#musousoseki Kamakura-Burabura.com]. Accessed 16 December 2009.
 
*"Musô Soseki." [http://www.kamakura-burabura.com/jinbutum2.htm#musousoseki Kamakura-Burabura.com]. Accessed 16 December 2009.
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*William de Bary, ''Sources of Japanese Tradition'', vol 1, Columbia University Press (2001), 310.
 
<references/>
 
<references/>
  
 
[[Category:Kamakura Period]]
 
[[Category:Kamakura Period]]
 
[[Category:Religious Figures]]
 
[[Category:Religious Figures]]

Latest revision as of 16:02, 9 February 2015

One of the gardens at Engaku-ji, designed by Musô Soseki, and designated a Place of Scenic Beauty (meishô)
  • Born: 1275
  • Died: 1351
  • Japanese: 夢窓疎石 (Musou Soseki)

Musô Soseki was a Zen priest known for having founded a number of temples in Kamakura, and as a designer of temple gardens. He was named kokushi ("national teacher") by seven emperors, and has been described as "probably the most famous monk of his time."[1]

When he was first offered the position of abbot of a Zen monastery in Kamakura by the Hôjô clan, he initially refused, instead accepting an offer from Emperor Go-Daigo to become the abbot of a temple in Kyoto, in 1325. He resigned the following year, however, traveling to Kamakura and taking up a position as an abbot at that time. As head of Jôchiji, he founded Zuisen-in, now known as Zuisen-ji. After becoming the head of Engakuji, in conjunction with the 1333 fall of Kamakura, he returned to Kyoto, founding Saihô-ji, Shôkoku-ji[2], and other temples in the Kyoto area, designing the gardens at Zuisenji and Saihôji as well.

Following Go-Daigo's fall and the establishment of the Ashikaga shogunate in 1336, Soseki then gained the patronage of Ashikaga Takauji, who in 1339 had him establish Tenryû-ji in Go-Daigo's memory.

References

  • "Musô Soseki." Kamakura-Burabura.com. Accessed 16 December 2009.
  • William de Bary, Sources of Japanese Tradition, vol 1, Columbia University Press (2001), 310.
  1. de Bary, 310.
  2. Mason, Penelope. History of Japanese Art. Second Edition. Upper Saddle River NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2005. p224.