Gozan-sama - Good day

Japanese: 五山様 - ござんよう

A general term for the style of calligraphy written by Zen monks of the Five Mountains (Five Mountains, Ten Temples, and Various Mountains). From the Muromachi period onwards, the monks of the Five Mountains formed close ties with the shogunate, playing important roles as advisors on politics and diplomacy, and also playing an active role in the cultural field. Monks who studied abroad or came from other parts of Japan transplanted the style of Chinese poetry and prose practiced in Song and Yuan Zen temples to Japan, becoming absorbed in composing anecdotes and poems, and breaking new ground. In order to compose these works, Song and Yuan style calligraphy became popular, mainly in Zen temples. Some of their calligraphy follows the orthodox calligraphy of the Song and Yuan dynasties, but in terms of style, the majority of their calligraphy is unconventional, so to speak, and exudes a high level of spirit acquired through rigorous training, regardless of the style.

Source: Heibonsha World Encyclopedia, 2nd Edition Information

Japanese:

五山(五山･十刹･諸山)の禅僧たちが書いた書風の総称。室町時代以降，五山の僧は幕府と密接な関係を結び，政治や外交の顧問として重要な役割を果たし，また文化面において活躍した。留学僧や渡来の僧は，宋･元の禅林で行われた漢詩文の作風を日本に移植し，語録や詩文の制作に熱中し，新しい境地を開いた。そして，それらを揮毫（きごう）するために，禅宗寺院を中心に宋元風の書が流行した。彼らの墨跡は，宋･元の正統な書法に従うものもあるが，書風の上から見ると，大半は書法をよそに，いわば破格法外の，厳しい修行によって得られた精神の高さが滲み出ているものである。

出典　株式会社平凡社世界大百科事典第２版について　情報

<<: Waste paper (recycled paper) - Koshi (English spelling) wastepaper

>>: Gozan literature