Cloudy sign - Doncho

Japanese: 曇徴 - どんちょう

Year of birth: Unknown
A Goguryeo monk from the early 7th century. He came to Japan with Hojo as a tribute from King Yingyang in March of the 18th year of the reign of Empress Suiko (610). In addition to Buddhism, he was knowledgeable about the Five Classics (Confucianism) and passed on the techniques for making coloring materials, paper and ink, and grinding stones. A grinding stone is a machine for polishing rice, and a grinding stone is a machine for polishing flour, both of which use water power. The Nihon Shoki states that the making of grinding stones began at this time. The production of paper and ink had been introduced before this, so it is likely that a high-quality manufacturing method was passed on. These techniques contributed widely to the development of culture. When Prince Shotoku summoned them to Ikaruga Palace (the Eastern Temple of Horyu-ji Temple), Doncho and Hojo stated that they had been disciples of Zen Master Nan'yaku Keishi in their previous lives, and so they decided to stay at Horyu-ji Temple (according to the Calendar of Prince Shotoku).

(Yumi Matsuki)

Source: Asahi Japanese Historical Biography: Asahi Shimbun Publications Inc. About Asahi Japanese Historical Biography

Japanese:

生年：生没年不詳
7世紀初めの高句麗の僧。推古18(610)年3月に嬰陽王の貢上として,法定と共に来日。仏教以外の知識として五経(儒教)に通じ,彩色(絵の具),紙墨,碾磑の製作技術を伝えた。碾は精米機,磑は精粉機で,いずれも水力を使用する。『日本書紀』は碾磑を造ることはこれから始まるとする。紙墨の製作はこれ以前に伝来していたので,良質の製法を伝えたのだろう。これらの技術は広く文化の発展に貢献した。聖徳太子により,斑鳩宮(法隆寺東院)に召されたとき,曇徴と法定は前世において南岳恵思禅師の弟子だったと述べたので,法隆寺に止住することとなった(『聖徳太子伝暦』による)という。

(松木裕美)

出典　朝日日本歴史人物事典：（株）朝日新聞出版朝日日本歴史人物事典について　情報

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