Ishikawa Jōzan

was a samurai and a literai from the Azuchi-Momoyama period to the early Edo period. He was a representative figure of Chinese poetry in the early Edo period, and was also well versed in Neo-Confucianism, calligraphy, tea ceremony, and Japanese garden design. His given name was Shigeyuki at first, later Aku, and his nickname was Mitsuya at first, later Kaemon, his pen name was Jōzan, and his pen names were Rokuroku Sanjin, Shimei Sanjin, Akutotsu Ka, Shisendo, Daisetsu, Urin, Yamaki, Yamamura, Yabusato, Tokei, and Mitsuashi.

Biography Ishikawa Jōzan was born in Izumigō, Hekikai County, Mikawa Province (present-day Izumichō, Anjō, Aichi) to a family of hereditary samurai who had served the Matsudaira clan for generations. He studied martial arts under his great-uncle and in 1598, he became a close attendant to Tokugawa Ieyasu, and was trusted for his loyalty. He participated in the Osaka Summer Campaign and made a great achievement, but he was not rewarded as he had disobeying orders for the vanguard not to participate in combat. Having disobeyed military orders, he became a rōnin and retired to the temple of Myōshin-ji. Around 1617, he studied Confucianism under Fujiwara Seika at the recommendation of his acquaintance Hayashi Razan. Jōzan's reputation for excellence in both literature and martial arts led to him receiving many offers of service from various places. He served the Asano clan in Wakayama, but returned to Kyoto after a few months. Later, he returned to serve the Asano clan to care for his sick mother. He then followed the Asano clan's transfer to Hiroshima Domain and spent about 13 years there. When his mother died, he asked to retire, but was not allowed to do so. He pretended to be ill and left Hiroshima. In 1636, he built Suichikudō near Shōkoku-ji and retired there.