Jakugon

JAPAN, Okayama; Edo period

Jakugon was originally known as Tominaga and also known as Taijo. He was an artist and monk of the Shingon school of Japanese Buddhism who renounced under Master Chosen at Fugenin Temple at the age of nine. In addition to receiving initiation through the Mandala of the Two Realms transmission ritual of Vajrayana Buddhism, Jakugon also took the Bodhisattva Precepts. He traveled extensively throughout the Kansai region and studied under various Buddhist masters at different temples, including learning Sanskrit from Master Donjaku of Rengeji Temple.
Known for his calligraphy using Siddham, a Sanskrit alphabet script, Jakugon created works of calligraphy that display rounded and vigorous brushstrokes. Together with Ryokan and Jiun, he was reputed as one of the Three Great Contemporary Monastic Calligraphers.
His calligraphic work, Poem by Du Fu, written in cursive script, is kept at Tokyo National Museum, Japan