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@A wandering painter Sesshu
A Zen priest wandered and left his work at many places. Ink and wash painting used to be just a hobby, but he elevated its status to an art.
Famous ink and wash painter Sesshu was born in Akahama in 1420. He practiced asceticism in his childhood at Iyama-Houfukuji temple. He has the anecdote that he drew a mouse with his tears. Finishing the practice at that temple, he moved to Shokokuji temple in Kyoto. At that time there was a famous ink and wash painter named Shubun. Sesshu was disciplined under Shubun, and soon talented Sesshu became famous in Kyoto.
He went to China to study paintings in 1467. He walked around China, and visited many places. At one temple, he was given high rank title. He was really proud of the title. When he painted a picture, he singed his name and his title on his work.
After returning from China, He established Unkokuan as a foothold, so he could extend his scope of activities to Iwami (Shimane prefecture) and Bungo (Oita prefecture). He left many works. When he was 67, He sent his masterpiece gSansuiChoukanh to feudal lord Ouchi.
His creative activities continued until his later years. He went to Shohouji temple in Gifu prefecture and Seikenji temple in Shimizu. When he was 82, he went to Amanohashidate, and sketched scenery.
He died in 1506, but there are several hypotheses about where he spent his last. It might be Unkokuan in Yamaguchi, Taikian in Masuda, and Chogenji temple in Yoshii chou.
Chronological table
1420 Sesshu was born in Soja shi Akahama, Okayama prefecture.
1431 He became a monk at Houfukuji temple. Later, he moved to Shokokuji in Kyoto. He learned Zen under Shunrin Shutou in Shokokuji temple. Sesshu was given the name Toyo, and given the rank as gshika.h Shika is a person who receives a visitor and takes care of young monk. He also learned painting there from Shubun.
1464 Sesshu moved to Unkokuan in Suou, Yamaguchi.
1467 He moved to China
1468 He drew the picture on the temple in Beijing. In same year, he painted the gShiki sansuizu.h
1469 Sesshu came back to Japan.
1476 He created gChinden taki zu.h
1477 He created gTenkaitogarouki.h
1479 He moved to Iwami Masuda.
1486 He rebuilt a house in Unkokuan, and he named it gTenkaitogarouh
1490 He give his self-portrait to his pupil.
1501 He paint the gAmanohashidate zu"
1506 Sesshu died when he was 87.
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