[poconopundit]

Many thanks for introducing me to the poet and part-time Zen monk, Ikkyu Sojun (1394-1481). You made my morning, Candor7 :-)

I found a short, but excellent tribute to this honorable rascal.  Another poem:

To Lady Mori with Deepest Gratitude and Thanks

The tree was barren of leaves but you brought a new spring.
Long green sprouts, verdant flowers, fresh promise.
Mori, if I ever forget my profound gratitude to you,
Let me burn in hell forever.

And another:

A Meal of Fresh Octopus

Lots of arms, just like Kannon the Goddess;
Sacrificed for me, garnished with citron, I revere it so!
The taste of the sea, just divine!
Sorry, Buddha, this is another precept I just cannot keep.

Reading further I was delighted to see Ikkyu was born and raised in Saga prefecture, a stone's throw from Sasebo city, my wife's hometown in western Kyushu.

[sushiman]

“Reading further I was delighted to see Ikkyu was born and raised in Saga prefecture, a stone’s throw from Sasebo city, my wife’s hometown in western Kyushu. “

Haven’t been to Sasebo but have been to Ureshino several times which is close . A very goodfriend of mine Morita-san and his family live there. He is a drummer too and plays in a Beatles cover band . We became friends after I found and imported a Ludwig drum set just like Ringo’s for him .

[Candor7]

Ikkyu's great love was Lady Mori.

She was a blind masseuse.

As a monk, he found her company to be among his greatest enjoyments of life.

Their liaison was thought to be very naughty at the time.Many of his haiku are in response to her physical ministrations during their sojourns together.

Ikkyu is my favourite of the classic Japanese Zen poets.

“Sentient beings can get completely lost in it”: the erotic poems of Ikkyū

"A woman is enlightenment when you’re with her and the red thread of both your passions flares inside you – and you see.

[GOPJ]

Delightful... thanks for sharing.