Rinzairokusho
Edo period, dated 1645 / Book, ink on paper
Hand-copied
edition of Rinzai-roku lectures, unknown compiler, late Muromachi period
(1333-1573). Composed in a colloquial style with hiragana characters in addition
to kanji. The Rinzai-roku is a record of the sayings of Linji Yixuan
(also Linji Huizhao; in Japan Rinzai Gigen, Rinzai Eishō; unknown-867),
patriarch of the Rinzai School. The Rinzai-roku is also known as the
Chin-shū Rinzai Eshō zenji goroku. Edited by Linji's disciple Sansheng
Huiran (J. Sanshō Ezen, DOB/DOD unknown).
This copy was Rinzai priest
Sōhō Takuan's (1573-1645) personal hand-written copy. Cover of each volume
carries an inscription: "Go-gyaku-nin-mon-rai Ton (Zen -Hi-Mitsu)" (The one and
only Go-gyaku-nin-mon-rai Ton [secret]) on its left side, as well as a crimson
seal bearing the name "Sōhō". "Go-gyaku-nin-mon-rai" may be translated "the one
who has commited the five immediates--i.e., killing one's mother, killing one's
father, killing an arhat (nirvana-attainer), causing schism, and hurting the
buddha's body--whose way of attaining Awakening is Immediate (against Gradual,
Secret, or Closed), hears the thundering [sermon of the Lankā buddha]." A
well-known historical figure, Takuan was expelled from the capital on account of
his resistance to the Edo shogunate's objection to the "purple robe
(shie) incident" that arose from Emperor Gomizu no 0's decision to award
it to him. He did, however, manage to gain the devotion of the third Tokugawa
Shōgun Iemitsu (1604-51) and founded Tōkai-ji temple in Shinagawa. Courtesy
Sekisuiken Bunko Library. "Sekisui" refers to Mitsuo Ishii
(1881-1966).