Shaku Joju Seal

JAPAN; Edo period

This seal was created for the personal use of the artist. Carved into the seal surface is “Shaku Joju,” which was the Dharma name of Shunan Joju.
The four characters of this seal endow an overall smooth look. Features and characteristics of Han style are evident, as is the influence of Shunan’s close relationship with the seal engraving master, Ko Fuyo. In contrast to the typical rules set in place for the layout of seals, the characters, with thin lines comprising the horizontal strokes and thick lines for the verticals, appear somewhat disheveled. Despite resembling the work of a novice, the manner of cutting is steady, unhurried, and firm.
Shunan Joju, whose original name was Kojima, had a Dharma name of Shaku. He was a Zen monk of the Obaku branch from Ise Matsusaka, during the Edo period (1615–1868). Shunan renounced at Kannabiji Temple, south of Kyoto, at the age of nine. He continued his Buddhist studies and succeeded the Dharma under Nanrei Genkun in 1729. Shunan and monk Goshin Genmyo coauthored the seal cutting manuscript entitled Compilation of Seals by Shunan and Goshin.