Ishin Sūden was a Rinzai Zen monk of the early Edo period.
Background
Ishin Sūden was born in 1569 in Kyoto, the son of Isshiki Hidekatsu, a retainer of the Ashikaga family. His father died in the overthrow of the Ashikaga shogunate in 1573, whereupon he entered Nan- zen-ji, becoming a disciple of Gempo Reisan.
His personal name was Ishin, and his posthumous title Ensho Honko Kokushi.
Career
He went to Kamakura in 1605 to become head monk of Kencho-ji, but returned to Kyoto the following year and devoted all his efforts to restoring Nanzen-ji. In 1608 he was summoned into the service of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa shogunate. In 1610 he built a temple called Konchi-in in Sumpu, where Ieyasu was living in retirement, and took up residence there. Under Ieyasu’s direction, he handled documents pertaining to foreign relations.
In 1619 he moved the Konchi-in to Edo and was commonly called Konchi-in Süden.
Achievements
Works
Other Work
His writings include two diaries entitled Ikoku nikki and Honko kokushi nikki, which convey a clear picture of his political activities.
Religion
He encouraged the government in its anti-Christian policy and took part in drafting the various proclamations outlawing Christianity and ordering the foreign missionaries out of the country. He was also active in affairs pertaining to the regulation of Buddhist institutions and in other domestic affairs, participating in the formulation of the ordinances known as Jiin hatto, Kvge shohatto, and Buke shohatto.