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Kozan Ikkyo (1284-1360)
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Kozan Ikkyo (1284-1360)
JAPAN, Saga; Kamakura to Nanbokucho period (1185–1392)
Kozan Ikkyo was a monk of the Rinzai school of Zen Buddhism between the Kamakura (1185-1333) and Nanbokucho (1336-1392) periods. A native of Hizen (present day Saga), he renounced under Zozan Junku at Takagiji Temple in Saga. In Hakata (present day Nagasaki), he obtained the Dharma name Mutyu from Chan Master Xijian Zitan, a Chinese monk who visited Japan.
He traveled to Kyoto and visited various eminent monks, such as Mui Shogen and Nanzan Shiun. Kozan eventually assumed the position of abbot at Tofukuji Temple in Kyoto, and later, at Tenryuji Temple in Kyoto. He passed away at the age of 77 leaving behind a verse reading, I came empty-handed and will leave barefooted." An influential and eminent monk of his time |
