Ryōkan Taigu of Japan (18th century), was a quiet,
eccentric Zen Buddhist monk whose name means "broad-hearted generous
fool", qualities that his life and work embodied. Ryokan didn’t like to
be considered a "poet." He once said “When you know that my poems are
not poems, Then we can speak of poetry”. The form of poetry Ryokan
practiced so perfectly reflected his life - clear, present, simple and
disciplined. It is inspired by nature, his daily chores, lonely
winters, begging for food and playing with the local village children.
