Koho Kenichi

Here in a
thatched hut
hidden
among
mountain
peaks with
barely room
for one I am
suddenly invaded by
wandering
white clouds.

Koho Kenichi (1241 - October 10, 1316) was a Japanese monk and poet, known as the teacher of Muso Soseki (1275 – 1351),

Quotes

• To depart while seated or standing is all one.
  All I shall leave behind me
  Is a heap of bones.
  In empty space I twist and soar
  And come down with the roar of thunder
  To the sea.
  • Japanese Death Poems. Compiled by Yoel Hoffmann. ISBN 978-0-8048-3179-6

• Here in a
  thatched hut
  hidden
  among
  mountain
  peaks with
  barely room
  for one I am
  suddenly invaded by
  wandering
  white clouds.
  • Koho Kenichi (1241 - 1316), quoted in: junchiyabari.com. Accessed 2018-06-23.

Quotes about Koho Kenichi

• Koho Kenichi (1241-1316) was one of the most renowned Zen prelates of his era, his era, not least because of his Japanese origin. As son of Emperor Gosaga, he began his religious career in the esoteric Buddhist school. In 1256 he was admitted into the Tofukuji by Enni Ben'en. Four years later he met Gottan Funei, who had just moved there from China. As instructed by his teacher Enni Ben'en, Koho followed Gottan Funei to Kamakura. On Ichio Ingo's recommendation he came under the care of Koho Kennichi. He was calm and self-willed and preferred to live in seclusion. For this reason he spent many years in a remote area until his appointment as leading priest of the Jomyoji in 1300 and later of the Manjuji in Kamakura. In 1314 Mugaku Sogen entrusted him with the leadership of the great Kenchoji.
  • Ildegarda Scheidegger, Bokutotsuso. Studies on the Calligraphy of the Zen Master Muso Soseki (1275-1351), 2005. p. 117

• Shuhu Myocho studied Tendai Buddhism as a youth but came to feel the knowledge of the scriptures was insufficient. He turned instead to Zen with its emphasis on practice. He was a disciple of Koho Kenichi, the teacher of Muso Soseki (1275 – 1351), and after becoming a priest he achieved enlightenment and spent time in Kamakura, where he was briefly abbot of Kencho-ji. He subsequently returned to Kyoto, spending over seven years living with beggars under Gojo Bridge.
  • John Dougill. Zen Gardens and Temples of Kyoto: A Guide to Kyoto's Most Important Sites. 2017.