Daikakuji Temple: Biography of Master Kukai

JAPAN, Kyoto; Kamakura period

Emperor Go-Uda (reigned 1274–1287) of the Heian period scripted this biography to commemorate Master Kukai’s birthday after his passing. It is comprised of 576 characters in 41 lines. The profound connection that this calligraphy has with Master Kukai deepens subtly through its essence of Yan Zhenqing’s style, which was known to have been favored by Master Kukai. The piece was listed as a National Treasure of Japan in 1954.
Emperor Go-Uda was the 91st emperor of Japan, and was known to be a devout Buddhist. Dedicated to academia and Buddhism studies, Go-Uda was first introduced to Shingon Buddhism at Toji Temple in Kyoto, and consequently immersed himself in its esoteric teachings. He later took refuge under Master Kukai, eventually undergoing the Abhiseka Ritual in which the esoteric teachings of Shingon Buddhism are passed on from master to student, initiating them into an elevated level of practice.