Shōkadō Shōjō

Shōkadō Shōjō (松花堂昭乗, 1584 Yamato Province, Japan-1639) was an Edo period Buddhist monk, painter, calligrapher and master of the tea ceremony.

Ten years later, in 1637, he retired to a hut on the temple's estate which he called "Pine Flower Hall" (松花堂, Shōkadō).

[1] In painting, his style would include monochromatic ink, following in the steps of Mu-ch’i Fa-ch’ang and Yin-t’o-lo (13th century Chinese monk-artist).

[1] Shōjō revived calligraphy by reawakening the sō (“grass”) writing style, which is a quick, cursive script originating from China, also practiced by Kōbō Daishi, a 9th century Japanese Shingon saint.

Using this style of writing, he would go on to create a six-panelled folding screen covered with gold leaf as well as 16 love poems.