(b Sichuan Province, 1213; d Kamakura, 1278). Chinese Zen master and calligrapher, active in Japan. He was the first recognized Chinese Chan (Jap. Zen) teacher to reach Japan. He became a major figure in the transmission of the doctrines and spirit of Rinzai (Chin. Linji) Zen and the introduction of Chinese Song-period (AD 960–1279) monastic practice. He entered a Buddhist monastery in the Chinese provincial capital of Chengdu at the age of 13 and later moved to the Hangzhou area, where several of the most distinguished prelates resided at Chan centres. Travelling from one monastery to another, he seems to have met the most renowned religious masters, among them the venerated abbot of Mt Jing, Wuzhun Shifan (1177–1249). He was accepted as a direct disciple by Wuming Huixing (1160–1237). After learning about the condition of Zen in Japan from the pilgrim monk Getsuo Chikyo, Rankei and two of his friends went to Japan to propagate their religious ideals. After a short stay in Hakata, Kyushu, Rankei went on to Kyoto to visit Getsuo Chikyo, who probably advised him to go to Kamakura, where Zen was more readily tolerated by traditional Buddhist sects. In Kamakura, Rankei was invited to Jufukuji by the Zen monk Daiketsu Ryoshin, who was acquainted with the Regent, Hojo Tokiyori (1227–63), known for his ardent support of Zen Buddhism. In 1248 Tokiyori converted Jorakuji into a Zen monastery and appointed Rankei abbot. After consultation with Rankei, Tokiyori also decided to build a Zen monastery in Song-period style modelled on the renowned centre on Mt Jing. Rankei supervised the construction of this new monastery in Kamakura, Kenchoji, and on its completion in 1253 was installed as founding prelate. In 1259 the retired emperor GoSaga (reg 1242–6) invited Rankei to Kyoto to serve as the eleventh-generation abbot of Kenninji. Three years later Rankei returned to Kamakura. It was at this time that envious religious rivals accused him of secret collaboration with the Chinese Mongol regime, which threatened to invade Japan. Rankei was banished to the remote province of Kai, north of Mt Fuji, where he nonetheless managed to establish a number of new Zen institutions. After the government had recovered from its consternation at the Mongol aggression in 1274, the new Regent, Hojo Tokimune (1251–84), rehabilitated Rankei and ordered him back to Kenchoji. Rankei was to have been founding abbot of Engakuji (founded 1282 by Tokimune; see KAMAKURA, §2(ii)) but died before the project was completed. He was the first representative of Zen in Japan to receive the honorary title Zenji (‘Zen master’) and the imperial court bestowed on him the posthumous name Daikaku (‘Great enlightenment’).

• Rankei Doryu
  • Japan, §XVI, 20(i)(c): Authorship and thread seals
  • Kamakura, §1(ii): Urban development and art life, 1222–1333
  • Kamakura, §2(i): Kenchoji
  • works
    • Japan, §VII, 2(iv)(b): Calligraphy: Principal traditions: Zen Buddhist masters: Forms
    • Japan, §VII, 2(iv)(c): Calligraphy: Zen Buddhist masters