Feiyin Tongrong

CHINA, Fujian, Fuzhou; Ming to Qing dynasty

Feiyin Tongrong, whose family name was He, was a monk and calligrapher from Fuqing, Fuzhou. After his renunciation at the age of 14, he became well-versed in sutras and commentaries, and visited many renowned teachers. In 1622 during the Ming dynasty (1368–1644), he visited Master Miyun Yuanwu and studied his teachings, subsequently visiting numerous other temples to propagate the teachings of the Linji school of Chan Buddhism.
Feiyin was a talented left-handed calligrapher. Specializing in cursive and running scripts, his flow continued without restraint and was considered to be awe-inspiring. He also wrote in regular script, which was thought to be well-formed.
The postscript written by Feiyin on the top of his portrait, entitled with his name, and kept at Manpukuji Temple in Japan, shows his trademark flowing and carefree style of cursive script. His other calligraphic work, Seven-Character Poem, is written in cursive script and kept at Ho’s Calligraphy Foundation in Taipei, Taiwan.