Ink Drawing of Bodhidharma

Ugan (1738-1808) was a Zen monk of the Sōtō sect in the late Edo period. His name as a Zen monk was Kaiō Tōshū, but he is generally known as Ugan or Ugankoji. He was a resident priest of Enzuan Temple, Mannōji Temple, and other temples in Echigo. He studied painting under Kanō Baishō (Hōgen Gyokugen), a painter of the Kanō school. In calligraphy, he specialized in a cursive style called “Kyōsōtai,” which is a cursive style that is further broken down and rendered in a continuous style.

He is also known for his close friendship with Ryōkan, who was also from Echigo, and has many anecdotes about Ryōkan. There are many anecdotes about him, including a poem written by Ryōkan about Ugan and a painting by Ugan that has a Ryōkan’s Inscription.

Ink drawing of Bodhidharma was one of Ugan’s specialties.