Amakuki Sessan & Myōshin-ji's Early History

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Elisabeth Chogich

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Jan 10, 2021, 1:10:33 PM1/10/21
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Hello everyone,
I have the pleasure of working my way through Martin Collcutt's book, Five Mountains, and I have a question about one of the entries in the bibliography (see attached screenshot). 

I have been looking for more information both about Amakuki Sessan himself, and even more specifically, his book Myōshinji roppyakunen-shi. Based on what bibliographic data and articles I've been able to find that discuss his work, I gather that he was a preeminent historian within the Rinzai sect. 

Does anyone have a copy of that book, and what other sources might I seek to consult regarding the history of Myōshin-ji from 1350-1360, specifically, or for information on Master Kanzan Egen himself?

Many thanks!

Sincerely,
Elisabeth Chogich

 
Amakuki Sessan book in 'Five Mountains' bibliography.PNG

Lisa Kochinski

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Jan 10, 2021, 2:36:07 PM1/10/21
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Dear Elisabeth Chogich,

Jan Børup’s Japanese Rinzai Zen: Myōshinji, a Living Religion (Brill, 2008), is an excellent book. Even though Børup focuses on contemporary practice at Myōshinji, and the historical section is rather short, you might find it very interesting. Additionally, the extensive bibliography cites more recent works than Collcutt’s Five Mountains.

I’m sure others more knowledgeable than me can make further recommendations.

Best regards,
Lisa Kochinski
PhD Candidate (ABD) in Japanese religions
University of Southern California

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Mercuri Osvaldo

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Jan 10, 2021, 3:49:17 PM1/10/21
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Dear Elisabeth Chogich,

as far as Kanzan Egen is concerned, the are two important scholarly works:


1) 『関山慧玄と初期妙心寺』 by Kato Shoshun 加藤正俊 2006


2) 『正法山妙心寺開山 関山慧玄禅師伝』 by Hirota Sogen 廣田宗玄 2009


Recently, prof. Kimura Toshihiko 木村俊彦 has published some articles intended to be  a "new  research on Kanzan", critical of the findings of the work of prof. Kato. But I personally don't agree with much of what he maintains in those articles.

Moreover, if you're looking for old publications on the subject, you may want to consult Myosinji-shi by Kawakami Kozan, available online here https://dl.ndl.go.jp/info:ndljp/pid/926992/174

Osvaldo Mercuri (phd candidate Hanazono University)

Elisabeth Chogich

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Jan 15, 2021, 2:20:12 PM1/15/21
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Dear Dr. Kochinski, 

Thank you for the suggestion - that book was one of the first ever I read on Myōshin-ji, specifically for its depictions of daily life. It's an excellent and very detailed book, as you said. 

I'll take a look at the bibliography today. I'll keep my eye open for anything that discusses the Nanboku-chō period.

Many thanks again,
Elisabeth

Mercuri Osvaldo

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Jan 18, 2021, 5:54:14 AM1/18/21
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Elisabeth Chogich,

out of curiosity, today I borrowed the book Myōshinji roppyakunen-shi.

Amakuki Sessan 天岫接三 is one of the author, together with Konsen Sōjun 金仙宗淳, Gotō Zuigan 後藤瑞巌, Shaku Bukkai 釈佛海, Shibano Kyōdō 柴野恭堂 and  others.

Do you need anything in particular from the book?

Osvaldo Mercuri




Elisabeth Chogich

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Jan 19, 2021, 4:14:09 PM1/19/21
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Dr. Mercuri,

Having the table of contents would be a great place to start. What does the book cover of the period from 1340 - 1360, or Master Kanzan Egen in detail? Those are the general topics I would be most interested in learning about from Myoshinji roppyakunen-shi 

For how long do you have the volume?

Thank you so much - this is of great help even being able to ask for the TOC.

Sincerely,
Elisabeth Chogich

Kristina Troost

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Jan 19, 2021, 4:45:10 PM1/19/21
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Elisabeth,

NDL posts tables of contents for books they have scanned; even if they don’t let you have access to the digital content, there usually is a table of contents.  The book linked below seems to be fully available from NDL.

IT never hurts to check unless you don’t have good internet access.

Kris


 

Elisabeth Chogich

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Jan 20, 2021, 4:47:23 PM1/20/21
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Dr. Troost,

Thank you for the reminder. I'm on the new side of researching in Japanese, and I completely forgot about the NDL being accessible to me. (I am more used to hunting for translations in English, German, or French - this was actually my first  time looking  within the National Diet Library, I must admit.) 

I've found the table of contents, as you suggested. Chapters 1 and  3 are of particular interest. I think. I am, to be honest, still at the stage where I am learning the very basics of character pronunciation on my own. With my furigana dictionary, a magnifying glass, and enough time, I think I can get the basic gist of things. (I hope).

Just to confirm that I'm on the right track, is this the correct book? https://dl.ndl.go.jp/info:ndljp/pid/1214504?tocOpened=1&itemId=info:ndljp/pid/1214504&__lang=en 

Thank you again for your good advice!

Sincerely,
Elisabeth




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