Myoshinji Temple: Certificate of Attainment

JAPAN, Kyoto; Kamakura period

Kanzan Egen was presented with this certificate from his master, Shuho Myocho. This piece contains a narration of Kanzan’s enlightenment, as well as encouragement to benefit future generations by propagating Buddhist teachings, so as not to fall short of Master Shuho’s expectations of him. The work was listed as a National Treasure in 1953.
Shuho’s calligraphy often displays stylistic influences from Mi Fu and Huang Tingjian, although this piece has a more relaxed writing style. This can be observed in the unstructured composition, terse brushstrokes, and lack of technical flourishes, endowing the piece with an air of Chan nature.
Shuho Myocho, posthumously known as National Master Daito, was known for his strict Zen practice. He was a monk of the Rinzai school of Buddhism during the late Kamakura period (1185–1333) to the Nanbokucho period (1336–1392), and was the founder of Daitokuji Temple in Kyoto.