Rinzai　臨済

KEY WORD :　art history / iconography

Also known by the Chinese name: Linji. A Tang dynasty priest who founded a major school of chan (Jp: Zen 禅) 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 (Jp: Ejou 慧照, his priest name, and was a disciple of Huangbo Xiyun (Jp: Oubaku Kiun 黄檗希運). He was raised in the Caozhou (Jp: Soushuu 曹州) region of south China. Rinzai's biography and many of his notable dialogues are found in the Linjilu (Jp: RINZAIROKU 臨済録; Records of Rinzai). In addition to traditional portraits (see *chinsou 頂相), Rinzai was often depicted planting pines (Jp; Rinzai saishou 臨済栽松). 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 and Yuan 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; Daitokuji Shinjuan 大徳寺真珠庵, Kyoto) is a well-known example.

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