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 further categorized into broken and continuous cursive styles.

He is also known for his close friendship with Ryōkan, who was also from Echigo, and there are many anecdotes about their relationship. Among these are a poem written by Ryōkan about Ugan and a painting by Ugan that features a Ryōkan inscription. An ink drawing of Bodhidharma was one of Ugan’s specialties.