Sōgen Asahina

Who was Sōgen Asahina?

Sōgen Asahina was an influential Japanese Rinzai zen master. He was also a prolific writer and a calligrapher.

Born in Shizuoka Prefecture, Asahina graduated from Nihon University. He studied at Myōshin-ji in Kyoto and at Engaku-ji in Kamakura. He rose to become the head of the Engaku-ji branch of Rinzai Zen. Also, he was a professor at Komazawa University.

Asahina's works include Zen, Nippon no Zen and commentaries on the Hekiganroku and Rinzairoku.

Asahina was also an accomplished calligrapher. Television shows, including Mito Kōmon and Ōoka Echizen, featured his writing in their title screens. His writing can also be seen in the memorial to Gichin Funakoshi at Engaku-ji.