About Sōgen Asahina
Lived 1891 – 1979 (aged 87–88). Sōgen Asahina was a Japanese buddhist monk.
was an influential Japanese Rinzai zen master and founder of Nippon wo Mamoru kai. He was also a prolific writer and a calligrapher.
Born in Shizuoka Prefecture, Asahina graduated from Nihon University. He studied at Myōshin-ji in Kyoto and at Engaku-ji in Kamakura. He rose to become the head of the Engaku-ji branch of Rinzai Zen. Also, he was a professor at Komazawa University.
Asahina's works include Zen (bilingual, English and Japanese; 1954), Nippon no Zen (1959) and commentaries on the Hekiganroku and Rinzairoku.
Asahina was also an accomplished calligrapher. Television shows, including Mito Kōmon and Ōoka Echizen, featured his writing in their title screens. His writing can also be seen in the memorial to Gichin Funakoshi at Engaku-ji.
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Important facts
People in Sōgen Asahina's life
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Contemporaries
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Frequently asked questions
Who was Sōgen Asahina?
Japanese Rinzai zen master (1891–1979)
When was Sōgen Asahina born?
Sōgen Asahina was born in 1891.
When did Sōgen Asahina die?
Sōgen Asahina died in 1979.
What was Sōgen Asahina's occupation?
Sōgen Asahina was a buddhist monk.
What nationality was Sōgen Asahina?
Sōgen Asahina was Japanese.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Sōgen Asahina. https://biography.guide/sogen-asahina/
MLA: "Sōgen Asahina." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/sogen-asahina/.
Chicago: "Sōgen Asahina." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/sogen-asahina/.
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