Rinzai　臨済

KEY WORD :　art history / iconography

Also known by the Chinese name: Linji. A Tang 唐 dynasty priest who founded a major school of chan 禅 (Jp: zen) Buddhism. Zen stresses sudden enlightenment through such practices as zazen 座禅 (sitting in disciplined meditation), kouan 公案 (catechetic questions for meditation) and even violent slaps and shouts. Rinzai (?-867) was also known by the name Huizhao 慧照 (Jp: Ejou, his priest name, and was a disciple of Huangbo Xiyun 黄檗希運 (Jp: Oobaku Kiun). He was raised in the Caozhou 曹州 (Jp: Soushuu) region of south China. Rinzai's biography and many of his notable dialogues are found in the LINJILU 臨済録 (Jp: RINZAIROKU) or "Records of Rinzai." In addition to traditional portraits (see *chinsou 頂相), Rinzai was often depicted planting pines (Jp; Rinzai saishou 臨済裁松). This theme, which stems from a conversation between Rinzai and his teacher Huangbo, is usually illustrated with pictures of Rinzai carrying pine seedlings and a hoe. Imaginary portraits of Rinzai were a favorite theme of Song 宋 and Yuan 元 period painters of zen subjects. After the introduction of the sect to Japan in 1191, Japanese painters favored images of the huge, scolding face of Rinzai (Jp: Rinzai ikkatsu 臨済一喝). The hanging scroll attributed to Soga Jasoku 曽我蛇足 (late 15c; Shinjuan 真珠庵, Daitokuji 大徳寺, Kyoto) is a well-known example .

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