I am satisfied with life in Ibuka, where there is a lot of water and grass. Now that the messenger of the Emperor has come, I am tied down like an ox that cannot move it's horns either east or west. Muin-ken Settan, on the Mt. Myoho.

   Emperor Hanazono practiced Zen under Daito Kokushi Shuho Myocho Zenji, the founder of Daitoku-ji, for twenty years. When Daito Kokushi was about to pass away, Emperor Hanazono asked him. "With whom should I study the Zen Dharma after you're gone? "Daito Kokushi replied " Of all my disciples, I can recommend no one more than Kanzan Egen (Kanzan Kokushi). He has hidden his traces and is practicing by himself in the mountains, deepening his state of mind." At that time, Kanzan Egen was living in Ibuka, helping tha farmers and taking care of the oxen. Emperor Hanazono sent out servants to seek Kanzan Egen. When they finally found him, they respectfully asked him to return to Kyoto.

   Emperor took the trouble to invite him to Kyoto. "I am satisfied with life in Ibuka and working with the villagers. I will not be able to live the free and easy life of a footloose oxherd any more. I wish I didn't have to be bothered with such formalities of life n the capital."

   When a Zen man can't find the words to express his garatitude, he turns to words of abuse. This is a unique way of expression in the Zen world.

The Myoshin-ji branch. The 515th abbot of Myoshin-ji. Zen master of Tentaku monastery, Gifu. The founder of Shogen-ji monastery, Ibuka, Gifu.

  Honorific name: Shin'nyomyokaku Zenji. Pen name: Muin-ken, Dokuso-ken. Dharma transmission from Torin Somo. He funded Shogen-ji monastery in Ibuka, Gifu in 1847. The place where the funder of Myoshin-ji Kanzan Egen hided for the practicing Zen. His nickname was "Thunderer Settan", meaning "very strict in practise."

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