Japanese Folding Calligraphy and Painting Book by Kosho Shimizu

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Calligraphy and painting book of Shimizu Kosho (Japanese, 1911-1999).
Folding book printed with numerous paintings and calligraphy with a printed … Read more Calligraphy and painting book of Shimizu Kosho (Japanese, 1911-1999).
Folding book printed with numerous paintings and calligraphy with a printed silk cover. Gilt edges and gold-speckled verso. Printed with permission, the book is housed in a tomobako with the monks handwritten inscription on the face and verso.


Arguably one of the most famous monks in Japan, Shimizu Kosho was born Shimizu Mutsuji in Shikama-gun, Hyogo prefecture in 1911 and became a Kegon school monk, entering the Todaiji monastery in 1927. In 1975, he became the 207th and 208th generation chief abbot of Todai-ji temple in Nara and the head of the Kegon school of Buddhism in Japan, serving until 1981. During his tenure, he conducted the great Showa conservation of the temple complex. He then became Dean of todai-ji until his death in 1999.
Throughout his life, he continued to produce calligraphy and pottery artworks. These creations, along with his collected art pieces, were donated to Himeji City, leading to the opening of the Himeji City Shosha Art and Craft Museum in 1994, where his works are permanently displayed. Shimizu Kosho passed away at the age of 88, but his works remain popular to this day. See less