Although we have no written records of this time, there is one thing that all historians agree on, and that is the fact that Gukai, the head monk at the time of Muryōji’s restoration, and Ōkyo, Rosetsu’s master, were old friends. There is no proof of this, however; there is some necessity for a little bit of imagination when constructing histories.

The twentieth head monk of Muryōji Temple also drew his own conclusion through his imagination. He believed that Rosetsu and Gukai were good friends, as well. “They both learned the basics of Zen from the same master,” he said. “Though Rosetsu didn’t enter monkhood as Gukai did, they apprenticed together. That’s why Rosetsu stayed at Muryōji for so long, and why he put so much effort into painting the fusuma. Perhaps Gukai even gave him free reign with the paintings. He knew that Rosetsu’s art was a Zen experience for him, so I think that’s a reflection of their closeness,” he says.

We received much of the information for this guide from the formed head priest, but since he left Muryōji at the end of March, 2019, our guide might turn into a precious archive.

He had retained his position as head monk at Muryōji Temple for 15 years, and spent every day offering prayers as the head monk and holding guided tours of the Main Hall. He was also the one who restored Rosetsu’s fusuma paintings in 2009. We are travelers, so our perception of his story may be different from fine arts specialists, but now that the chief priest can no longer tell his story at Muryōji, we thank you for giving it a listen as you explored the Ōkyo Rosetsu Art Museum. And, we hope that it broadened your imagination.

ON THE TRIP, our journey continues.

ON THE TRIP Editing Team
Author: Akihito Shiga
Photography: Yūki Naruse
English Translation: Dale Roll, Autumn Smith
Narration: Alwyn Hartman

*This guide was created based on documents and interviews and includes some interpretation done by us at ON THE TRIP. Theories differ between experts, so try to find out what really happened on your travels!