Kancho - Kancho

A Shingon Buddhist monk in the mid-Heian period. Also known as "Kanjo." Also known as Henjoji Sojo and Hirosawa Gobo. Grandson of Emperor Uda. He became a monk at the age of 11, and in 967 (Kōhō 4) became the head priest of Ninna-ji Temple. He later held the positions of head priest of To-ji Temple (Kyoogokoku-ji Temple) and head priest of Todai-ji Temple. In 986 (Kanwa 2), he became the first Daisōzu at To-ji Temple. In 989 (Eijō 1), he founded Henjo-ji Temple on the banks of Saga Hirosawa Pond and widely spread jisō (esoteric Buddhism etiquette), giving rise to the name of the Hirosawa school, one of the two major schools of jisō in the Shingon sect. He also made great efforts in the promotion of Shomyo (Chinese chanting), developing many Shomyo scriptures, establishing learning stages, and writing musical scores for the Rishukyo Sutra, for which he is revered as the founder of the revival of Shingon Shomyo.

[Yukei Hirai June 20, 2017]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

平安中期の真言宗の僧。「かんじょう」ともいう。別称を遍照寺僧正(へんじょうじそうじょう)、広沢御房(ひろさわごぼう)という。宇多(うだ)天皇の孫。11歳で出家し、967年（康保4）仁和寺(にんなじ)別当となり、以後、東寺（教王護国寺）長者、東大寺別当などを兼任した。986年（寛和2）東寺では初めての大僧正となる。989年（永祚1）嵯峨広沢(さがひろさわ)池畔に遍照寺を創建して事相(じそう)（密教の作法面）を広く伝え、真言宗事相の二大流派の一つである広沢流の名をおこした。また、声明(しょうみょう)の興隆にも力を尽くし、多くの声明の整備、学習段階の設定を行い、『理趣経(りしゅきょう)』に譜をつけるなど、真言声明の中興の祖と仰がれた。

［平井宥慶　2017年6月20日］

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