Kakuyu - Kakuyu

A monk from the Heian period, commonly known as Toba Sojo. He was the ninth son of Dainagon Minamoto no Takakuni, and his real name was Kenchi. He studied under Kakuen (1031-1098) of Onjo-ji Temple and became a monk. In 1081 (Eiho 1), he was appointed as the head priest of Shitenno-ji Temple, but returned to Onjo-ji Temple in 1094 (Kaho 1), and in 1121 (Hōan 2), he was awarded the title of Hoin Daioshoi. In 1131 (Tensho 1), he was appointed as the head priest of Shokongo-in Temple in Toba Imperial Villa, and as he lived there permanently, he was commonly known as Toba Sojo. He continued to play a remarkable social role, and in 1134 (Chosho 3), he was appointed Daisojo and betto of Hojo-ji Temple, and in the following year, 1135 (Hōen 1), he became the head priest of Onjō-ji Temple. He was highly trusted by the retired Emperor Toba, and as a leading figure in the Buddhist world, he performed various rituals and prayers. His excellent painting skills are known from documents, and there are drawings that are said to have been painted by Toba Sojo, but no definite relics remain. He has been known to be a painter of line-based paintings such as "Choju Jinbutsu Giga" and "Shigisan Engi Emaki," but this is now almost completely denied. However, it can be inferred from descriptions in various documents that he was skilled in the style of painting in "Choju Jinbutsu Giga." Kakuyū's caricaturist side was also known from early on. This is also reflected in the fact that humorous caricatures were later called "Toba-e."

[Etsuko Kato June 20, 2017]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

平安時代の僧で、俗称鳥羽僧正(とばそうじょう)。大納言源隆国(だいなごんみなもとのたかくに)の第9子で本名顕智。園城寺(おんじょうじ)の覚円（1031―1098）に師事し出家。1081年（永保1）四天王寺別当職に任ぜられたが、1094年（嘉保1）園城寺に戻り、1121年（保安2）法印大和尚位(だいおしょうい)に叙せられる。1131年（天承1）鳥羽離宮内の証金剛院別当に任ぜられ、ここに常住したために鳥羽僧正と俗称された。その後も社会的な活躍は目覚ましく、1134年（長承3）には大僧正および法成寺(ほうじょうじ)別当に補せられ、さらに翌1135年（保延1）園城寺長吏となる。鳥羽上皇の信任厚く、仏教界の重鎮としてさまざまな加持祈祷(かじきとう)を行った。画技に秀でていたことが文献より知られ、また鳥羽僧正筆と伝承される図像も存するが、確実な遺品は残されていない。『鳥獣人物戯画』『信貴山(しぎさん)縁起絵巻』など線描主体の絵画作品の画家として伝えられてきたが、現在ではほぼ否定されている。ただし『鳥獣人物戯画』的な画風の絵に優れていたことは、諸文献の記述から推測される。またこのような覚猷の風刺画家的な側面は早くから知られていた。それは後世滑稽(こっけい)な風刺画を「鳥羽絵」とよんだことにも表れている。

［加藤悦子　2017年6月20日］

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