Abstract

This book discusses a timeless question for humanity that has been explored through ages and across cultures: how to live and how to die. It highlights the perspectives of two prominent Japanese figures who lived through a century, offering insights into their philosophies of life.
Ryokei Onishi, a high priest who served at Kiyomizu Temple in Kyoto, an eminent temple known for "Kiyomizu's Stage" and Hirakushi Denchu, a modern Japanese sculptor who was honored with the Order of Culture suggests that their life views provide guidance on how to endure the struggles of life, such as anxiety, loneliness, and emptiness. It positions their experiences and insights as a source of strength for living through difficult times.

Author’s Information

Ryokei Onishi
Ryokei Onishi was born on December 21, 1875, in Tawara Peak, Nara Prefecture (now Sakurai City). In 1889, at the request of the Kujō family, he entered Kōfuku-ji Temple and received his religious precepts and ordination in 1890. In 1893, he became the first student of the Hōryū-ji Kangakuen, where he studied Consciousness-Only Buddhism. He completed all courses at Kangakuen in 1897 and was appointed head priest of Kōfuku-ji in 1900. In 1904, he went to Beijing to study Chinese language at the Tōbun Gakuin and the following year entered Manchuria as a military monk. In 1914, he became the head priest of Kiyomizu Temple and started the "Urabon Sermon" in August of the following year, which continues to this day and became the precursor to the Gyoten Lecture held in various temples in Kyoto. Advocating "Buddhism for Society," he dedicated his life to missionary work, welfare for the elderly and children, and peace activities. In 1962, he became the chairman of the Japanese Religious Leaders Peace Council. He received the Buddhist Missionary Merit Award in 1975 and the Asahi Social Welfare Award in 1976. He authored many books, including "Yukkuri Shiiya" (PHP Institute). He passed away on February 15, 1983.

Hirakushi Denchu
Hirakushi Denchu was born on February 23, 1872, in Nishi-Iwahara Village, Ushirotsuki District, Okayama Prefecture (now Ibara City). His real name was Takataro. In 1893, he apprenticed under the Osaka dollmaker Nakatani Seiko to learn wood carving, later moving to Tokyo to study under Takamura Koun. He won awards at the Japan Art Association Exhibition and other venues from 1899 and was selected for the first Bunten Exhibition in 1907. That year, he co-founded the Japan Sculpture Society with others like Yabuhara Unkai and exhibited "Katsujin-ya" at the first exhibition, which was recognized by Okakura Tenshin. He continued Tenshin's spirit of reviving traditional Japanese wood carving and worked towards its realization. His representative works include "Reincarnation" (1920), a fusion of realism and thorough research of ancient Japanese classical sculpture, "Portrait of Asano Nagamune" (1934) in the old method of polychrome woodblock printing, and "Kagami Jishi" (1958), a portrait of the sixth Onoe Kikugoro, completed after 20 years of trial production. In 1962, he received the Order of Culture. In 1971, the "Hirakushi Denchu Prize" was established in celebration of his 99th birthday. He passed away on December 30, 1979.