Hisamatsu Shinichi
Calligraphy

Hanging scroll
Ink on paper
118,7cm×32,5cm

Condition

This phrase originates from the teachings of Linji Yixuan, a Zen monk of China’s Tang dynasty, and appears in The Record of Linji (Rinzairoku in Japanese).

“Zuisho Sashu” (随所作主) comes from the expression:

“Wherever you are, be the master of yourself; then every place you stand becomes true.”

• Zuisho (随所) means “in any place” or “under any circumstance.”
• Sashu (作主) means “to be the master” or “to act as the主体 of oneself.”

In other words, it is a Zen teaching that encourages people to live with independence and inner authenticity, without losing themselves regardless of their environment.

Rather than being swayed by the opinions of others or by society’s values, the phrase teaches that one should stand firmly as the “master” of oneself in each moment and every place.

Artist

Shinichi Hisamatsu (1889-1980) was a philosopher of religion born in Gifu Prefecture, Japan. He studied under Kitaro Nishida at Kyoto Imperial University, where he was a student of the philosophy department. He studied Zen at Myoshinji Temple's Ikegami Shozan temple and pioneered his own Zen philosophy. He was a professor at Rinzai University (now Hanazono University), Ryukoku University, Kyoto University, and Kyoto City University of Art and Design, among others. He was also a visiting professor at Harvard University. He also founded and served as the president of the FAS Society. His maiden name is Ohno. His surname is Shinichi Hisamatsu (1889-1980) was a philosopher of religion born in Gifu Prefecture, Japan. He studied under Kitaro Nishida at Kyoto Imperial University, where he was a student of the philosophy department. He studied Zen at Myoshinji Temple's Ikegami Shozan temple and pioneered his own Zen philosophy. He was a professor at Rinzai University (now Hanazono University), Ryukoku University, Kyoto University, and Kyoto City University of Art and Design, among others. He was also a visiting professor at Harvard University. He also founded and served as the president of the FAS Society. His maiden name is Ohno. His surname is Hosekian.