Ikko ・・・
He was a monk from the Kamakura period.
He popularized dancing nembutsu.
Ippen ・・・
He was a monk from the Kamakura period.
He was commonly known as Ensho Taishi and Shojo Daishi.
He was the first to preach the Ji school.
He spread his teachings by going on pilgrimages handing out nenbutsu charms to people and by dancing nenbutsu.
Eisai・・・
He was a Zen monk of the Kamakura period.
His pen name was Myoan, and he was commonly known as Senko Kokushi.
He was the first to preach the Rinzai school of Buddhism.
He wrote "Kōzen Gokokuron" (Promoting Zen and Protecting the Nation), which argues for the legitimacy of Zen.
He also introduced tea from China to Japan.
He wrote "Kissa Yojoki" (Record of Healthy Living While Drinking Tea), which describes the medicinal properties of tea.
He was the first chief priest of Jufuku-ji Temple in Kamakura and Kennin-ji Temple in Kyoto.
Kukai ・・・
A monk from the early Heian period.
(Posthumous name: Shigō, a name given to praise the deeds of nobles, monks, etc. during their lifetime: Kobo Daishi)
The first to preach Shingon Buddhism.
He was also a writer and calligrapher, and is said to be one of the three most outstanding calligraphers of his time.
He brought Esoteric Shingon Buddhism from China as a Japanese envoy to the Tang Dynasty.
He opened the Shingon-in Temple at the Imperial Court, the Shingon-in Temple at Todaiji Temple, Toji Temple, and Kongobuji Temple at Mount Koya.
He also opened the first free school in Japan for commoners, Shugei Shuchiin.
He entered nirvana at Mount Koya at the age of 62. (Sokushinbutsu)
Unkei ・・・
A sculptor active in the early Kamakura period who created Buddhist statues and other works.
His works display masculine characteristics such as powerful expressions, appearances, and imposing physiques.
Famous works include ➀the Dainichi Nyorai（Mahavairocana buddha） at Enjoji Temple in Nara Prefecture, ➁ the Amida Nyorai（buddha）, Acala, and Bishamonten at Ganjojuin Temple in Shizuoka Prefecture, ➂ the Amida Triad, Acala, and Bishamonten at Jorakuji Temple in Kanagawa Prefecture,➃ Hachidai-doji (Eight Great Youths) at the Fudo Hall at Mount Koya, ➄ the Maitreya, Mujakaku, and Vaschin at the Hokuendo Hall of Kofuku-ji Temple in Nara Prefecture, and ➅ the Kongorikishi statues at Todai-ji Temple, which are said to have been created together with Kaikei.
Eison・・・
(Posthumous name: Shigō, a name given to praise the deeds of nobles, monks, etc. during their lifetime: Kōshō Bosatsu)
A monk from the Kamakura period.
He was the first to preach the Shingon Ritsu school.
A sculptor active during the Kamakura period.
He is said to have been a disciple of Unkei's father.
His works have painterly and delicate features. He is said to have believed in Pure Land Buddhism, and so he created many statues of Amida Nyorai(buddha).
Famous works include ① the Maitreya Bodhisattva standing statue at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, USA; ② the Amida Triad at Jodo-ji Temple in Hyogo Prefecture; ③ the Sogyo Hachiman sin Statue at Todai-ji Temple in Nara Prefecture; ④ the Amida Nyorai(buddha) statue at Shunjo-do Hall, Todai-ji Temple; and ➄ the Jizo Bodhisattva statue at Kokei-do Hall, Todai-ji Temple.
A high-ranking Buddhist monk from the Nara period.
Even in a time when the spread of Buddhism was prohibited, he worked hard to spread it to the masses and gained their support.
He was also the first Japanese person to become a Daisojo, the highest-ranking monk in Buddhism.
He was also responsible for the construction of the Great Buddha of Nara.
Kobori Enshu ・・・
Also known as Kobori Masakazu. He was a feudal lord in the Edo period and one of the three great tea masters.
He created the Enshu school.
His students in tea ceremony included Tokugawa Iemitsu and Takuan Soho.
He was also involved in architecture, gardens, and pottery.
Some of his famous works include the Kohoan teahouse and garden at Daitokuji Temple, and the Konchiin garden at Nanzenji Temple.
Prince Shotoku ・・・
Prince Shotoku was a great respecter and protector of Buddhism.
Prince Shotoku was a devout believer in Buddhism, which had only just been introduced to Japan, and became a symbol of its spread and popularity throughout Japan.
As a result, he is worshipped by people of all Buddhist sects as the "Japanese Buddha" and the "reincarnation of Kannon Bodhisattva."
The hall where the statue of Prince Shotoku is enshrined is called "Taishido."
Tankei ・・・
A sculptor active during the Kamakura period.
He is the eldest son of Unkei.
His works show a gentle combination of the strength of Unkei and the delicacy of Kaikei.
Famous works include ① the Bishamonten Triad at Sekkei-ji Temple in Kochi Prefecture, and ② the central statue of the Thousand-Armed Kannon at Sanjusangendo Temple in Kyoto.
Tokudo・・・
A monk from the Nara period.
He was the first head priest of Hasedera Temple in Nara.
Nichiren・・・
A Buddhist monk from the Kamakura period.
(Posthumous name: Shigō, a name given to praise the deeds of nobles, monks, etc. during their lifetime: Nichiren Daibosatsu, Risshō Daishi)
He was the first to preach the Nichiren school (Hokke sect).
A Shingon Buddhist monk from the Kamakura period.
He was also a social worker.
He was also dedicated to helping the poor, lepers, and other socially vulnerable people, as well as building roads and bridges.
Battara・・・
An Indian monk.
He translated Buddhist scriptures.
He also contributed to spreading the Tathagatagarbha and Yogacara schools of thought in China.
It is said that he attained enlightenment in a bathhouse.
Since ancient times, it has been said that he has the power to cure ailments of the head, eyes, shoulders, waist, and legs.
Mongaku ・・・
A Shingon Buddhist monk from the Heian to Kamakura periods.
The Tale of the Heike describes the ascetic practices of Mongaku.
He angered Emperor Goshirakawa by forcing him to restore Jingo-ji Temple, and was exiled to Izu.
It is said that he became acquainted with Minamoto no Yoritomo there, and helped him raise an army.
Muso Soseki・・・
Muso Soseki (1275-1351) was a Zen monk of the Rinzai sect.
He is said to be the creator of dry landscape gardens.
He was also a landscape designer, Chinese poet, and tanka poet.
➀ He was the head priest of the Gozan (the highest ranking Zen temples) eight times, including Engakuji temple, Nanzenji temple, and Jochiji temple.
He also built six temples, including Tenryu-ji temple, Erin-ji temple, and Saiho-ji temple.
He built gardens at each of the temples he built.
➁ He was deeply revered by Hojo Takatoki during the Kamakura period, and by Emperor Go-Daigo, Ashikaga Takauji, and his brother Ashikaga Tadayoshi during the Nanboku-cho period.
He was given the title of Kokushi (an honorific title for a high priest) seven times by Emperor Go-Daigo, a nobleman, and the emperors of the Ashikaga clan, a samurai family, from both the Northern and Southern Courts. As a result, he was known to the world as the "Imperial Teacher of the Seven Dynasties."
③ He is world-famous as a landscape designer who created Zen gardens and dry landscape gardens.
His gardens, such as Eiho-ji Temple on Kokei-san in Mino, Erin-ji Temple in Kai, Tenryu-ji Temple and Saiho-ji Temple gardens in Kyoto, and Zuisen-ji Temple garden in Kamakura, have been designated as Special Places of Scenic Beauty by the nation.
④ He is also famous as a Chinese poet.
Eleven of his poems have been published in waka and imperial anthologies of waka poetry.
