Page 78 - JAPAN THE SHAPING OFDAIMYO CULTURE 1185-1868

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His appearance dignified and majestic, and He is worthy of being a model of all human 10 Muso Soseki
his spirit brilliant and heroic. relationships for myriad ages. Muto Shui (fl. mid-i4th century)
He is incomparably knowledgeable in the Ming-ji was a friend of the sitter's father, hanging scroll; ink and color on silk
martial arts, like the ancient Chinese Renshó, whose portrait painting is also at 120.0 X 64.5 (47 V4 X 253/8)
military books Liu Tao and San Luo. Nanbokuchô period, i4th century
As to his cultivation in arts and scholarship, Kumedadera. At the request of En'e, the Myôchiin, Kyoto
Chinese
to
monk added an inscription
he is peerlessly learned like the ancient that portrait five days after he had written Important Cultural Property
Chinese books Pa Su and Jiu Qhiu. this inscription, both of which are impor-
"Western Valley Stream" [Xi-jian Zi-tan tant rare examples of Ming-ji's callig- Muso Soseki (1275-1351) was born in Ise
(1249-1306), a Chinese monk] created a raphy. AY Province (part of present-day Mie Prefec-
drop of rough waves and it caused in the ture). His association with monastic estab-
eastern sea a thousand yards of billows. lishments began when he was three years
He is solemn and thoughtful, dignified yet old. He first studied the Tendai and
not fierce. Shingon schools of Buddhism but con-
His retreat is noble, and he enjoys a verted to Zen, and, after studying with the
long-lasting pleasure in the mountains. distinguished Zen master Kóhó Kennichi
In a hundred generations of glory, he stirs a (1241-1316), he became his successor.
[benevolent] breeze upon the sea. Muso was a figure of the greatest
Breaking the bind of the net of religious prominence in his own time. He moved
teaching, he is loyal to Zen Buddhism.

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