Sesson Yūbai

Kamakura-era Zen monk who bridged Japanese and Chinese Buddhist traditions

Sesson Yūbai (1290-1347) traveled to Yuan China against maritime bans, studying under Zhuxian Fanxian. His 23-year journey produced unique kanshi poems blending Zen philosophy with cross-cultural insights.

As founder of Hōkyō-ji temple, he introduced Gozan Bungaku literary style. Surviving Mongol invasions and pirate captures, his travel diary Gettō Shōdōki became crucial for understanding East Asian Buddhist networks.

His calligraphy works, preserved in MET collections, demonstrate innovative brush techniques influencing Japanese ink painting. Sesson's legacy lies in creating cultural dialogue amid political tensions.