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1. Yamamoto Gempo (1866-1961) - Hanging Scroll (Kakemono) Japan Showa (1926 - 1989), 1959 paint on paper; Ink on paper H: 33.0 cm L: 24.2 cm |
In 1866, Yamamoto Gempo was born to a poor family in Shingu, Wakayama. In his youth Gempo started down a path of dereliction, but in an attempt to curb Gempo's delinquent behaviour, his father arranged an early marriage for his nineteen years old son. Just one year into the marriage however, Gempo was diagnosed with an eye disease, and doctors confirmed that he would eventually go blind. In 1889 Gempo met the priest Yamamoto Taigen on a visit to Sekkei-ji temple in Tosa, who encouraged him to become a Buddhist priest. The following year Gempo divorced his wife and entered Sekkei-ji as a monk, taking the name Yamamoto Gempo. Despite his determination and dedication to training, Gempo faced unusual difficulties because of his lack of education, which was compounded by his increasingly poor eyesight. When Taigen died in June 1903, Gempo succeeded him as Chief Priest of Sekkei-ji. At this time Gempo was also invited to pay his respects to Shoun (Sohan Gempo 1848-1922) at Empuku-ji, during a meeting on national defence. He formed an immediate affinity with the master and decided to resign his position at Sekkei-ji in order to deepen his Zen training under Shoun. Gempo trained at Enpuku-ji with Shoun from 1908 til 1915, when he received Shoun's certificate of enlightenment at the age of forty-nine. In the spring of 1915, the temple Ryutaku-ji in Mishima was in need of a resident priest, and Gempo was recommended for the position. His gentle and virtuous nature quickly attracted many monks and lay followers, and the temple began to prosper. Beginning in 1923, Gempo made several trips abroad, including visits to the United States, England, India, and China. In 1951, Gempo turned over his position to his Dharma Heir, Nakagawa Soen (1907-1984), and retired at the age of eighty-six. In December 1960 Gempo suffered a heart attack and was confined to bed. He passed away on June 3, 1961. Calligraphy: Spirit (Kami) Inscription on the left: Old man of 94 (1959), January (shogatsu); Signed and sealed by the artist. Reference: Cf. Seo, Yoshiko: The Art of Twentieth Century Zen, Boston and London 2000, pp. 93-107. Cf. (Biography) Seo, Yoshiko: Enso. Zen Circles of Enlightenment, Boston and London 2007, p.157f. Condition: Mounting (Hyogu) 164 x 42.5 cm Wooden box (Kibako) Itemcode: 1627 Detail: Painting with mounting Detail: Portrait of the artist |