Kogan Gengei

Background

Kogan Gengei was born on April 27, 1748 in Niigata, Japan.

Education

Kogan studied under the great Zen master Hakuin at his temple for several years. Moreover, he did ascetic training under the pupil of Hakuin, Genro Suio.

Career

Kogan Gengei developed his career as a prolific Zen artist. Unfortunately, too little is known about his career and personal life. At the age of nine, he took vows at Kanko-ji temple in his home province and became a monk. When he was seventeen, he traveled to many temples in search of further Zen teachings, and it was on this journey that he met the great Zen master Hakuin. When Kogan first arrived, Hakuin was over eighty years old, and so Kogan also worked with a number of Hakuin’s direct disciples. Kogan received his certificate of the transmission of the law from Sokai. On New Year’s day in 1785, at the age of thirty-seven, Kogan became the 21st abbot of Kogen-ji in Tamba. His later life until his death in 1821 is unknown.

Achievements

• Kogan Gengei was highly famous for his works "Daikoku", "Laughing Hotei", "Shotoku Taishi", and "Zen Bull."

Works

More photos

• painting

  • Zen Bull (Enso)

  • Laughing Hotei

  • Zen Bull

  • Daikoku

  • Calligraphy

  • Shotoku Taishi

  • Processing of Monks

Views

Kogan's works often showed a whimsical touch and contained humorous, original composition.

Connections

teacher:

Hakuin

teacher:

Genro Suio