Jojuji Temple: Poem for Tetsugyu on His 50th Birthday

JAPAN, Kyoto; Edo period

This work of calligraphy was presented by Chinese Chan Master Mu’an Xingtao to his Japanese disciple Tetsugyu in honor of his 50th birthday. Mu’an not only congratulates Tetsugyu in this poem, but also expressed his high hopes and expectations of him for the future.
Calligraphy by Mu’an is known for its simple elegance, drawn from his characteristically forceful brushstrokes and rounded character forms. This dynamic work is unique for its bold contrast of characters, which are rendered in varying thickness and size.
Mu’an Xingtao was a calligrapher and Chan master born in Jinjiang of Fujian, China, but later followed his teacher, Chan Master Yinyuan Longqi, to Japan. There, he became known as Mokuan Shoto, and eventually succeeded Master Yinyuan in becoming the Second Patriarch of the Obaku school of Zen Buddhism. During his time in Japan, Master Mu’an was important in propagating the school’s teachings.