Background
Wuzhun Shifan was born in Zitong, Sichuan province, China.
無準師範
Wuzhun Shifan was born in Zitong, Sichuan province, China.
Wuzhun had many disciples who studied under him.
This included Enni Ben"en (圓爾辯圓. 1201–1280; Shoichi Kokushi), who studied under Wuzhun in China from 1235 to 1241 and later brought Wuzhun"s teachings to Japan. Some of Wuzhun"s written calligraphy that was handed down to Enni is still preserved on plaques found at Tōfuku-ji, and a scroll of Wuzhun"s calligraphy was even presented to the Tokugawa family as a gift to the Shogun.
There is also a written letter of Wuzhun Shifan, dated to 1242, that is now preserved as a national treasure of calligraphy at the Tokyo National Museum.
Wuzhun Shifan"s written inscription appears on the 13th century Chinese painting A Monk Riding a Mule, housed in the Collection of John M. Crawford Junior. lieutenant is possible that he painted the picture, although it is unknown if he is the true author of the artwork.
Wuzhun"s portrait was painted in 1238 by an anonymous artist, taken to Japan by Enni Ben"en in 1241, and is still located at Tōfuku-ji in Kyoto, Japan. The painting also bears an inscription penned by Wuzhun Shifan.
Bernard Faure writes that it is painted in the Chan priest portrait style, known as dingxiang or zhenxiang (Japanese: chinzō).
Like others of its style, the Chan monk sits in a lotus posture, donning in full monastic robes, with the monk"s shoes placed at a footstool below and his right hand grasping a whisk or staff