Heroes in the Muromachi Era
Table of Contents
The period from the fall of Kamakura shogunate in 1333 to the start of
the War of Onin is called ``the Muromachi Era.''
In this period, new cultures flourished in Muromachi
district in Kyoto.
Various sects of Buddhism,
including zen and Jodo-shin-shu were spreaded.
Kinkakuji is a famouse temple built in this era.
?-1336.
Masashige was a famous warlord in the Nanbokucho period.
He was a loyal general of the emperor Godaigo .
He served to the south dynasty after the schism,
though most bushi decided to follow Takausji and his
Muromachi . shogunate
Masasige is known as an excellent tactician
who defeated outnumbered enemy several times.
However, the emperor Godaigo gave important positions to the noble,
and treated Masashige rather coldly.
His strategic advice were often ignored.
So he is also known as the tragedic hero without glory.
Here is
a picture of the statue of Masashige
standing in Tokyo.
1394-1481.
Ikkyu was a zen priest in Muromachi era .
He is well known today because of many legends about his wit and smartness.
It is said that he could solve any problem by meditating several minutes.
There are many legends that someone (usually a rich evil merchant)
challenges Ikkyu with a difficult problem,
and Ikkyu solves it with his brilliant wit.
According to the historians, Ikkyu was a brilliant philosopher.
Most zen priests were corrupted in those days,
and thought that common people (such as famers and poor merchants)
were too ignorant to reach the truth.
Ikkyu hated the treand, ran away from his temple
to seek the truth of the world.
After a long wandering life, he reached the revelation among the common people.
He refuted the preach of other corrupted priests,
and came to known throughout the country.
He drank and had sex with women, both of which were forbidden to the priest
in those day (though most priests did in fact).
People have loved his lowbrow attitude much.
1420-1506. Sesshu was one of the greatest painter in Japan.
His art was sumie , painting with black Indian ink only.
His sumie are consideres as one of the most sophisticated form of
shibumi .
A legend says about Sesshu's childhood.
He was grown up at temple, to be a Buddhism priest.
But he was fascinated by painting, and neglecting his disciplines.
So his teacher (a Buddhism priest) got angry,
and tied him to a pillar of the temple.
He wept, and his tears formed a small puddle on the floor.
Then he draw a picture of mouse with his foot and the tears.
When the priest saw the picture in the next morning,
he was moved by the picture that was so alive as if it was moving.
So he permitted Sesshu to continue painting.
updated on 94/11/01
written by
nishio@io.com
