Hirata Seiko 平田精耕

平田精耕 Hirata Seiko (1924–2008)
He was a prominent Zen master of the Rinzai school and one of the leading figures of the Tenryū-ji lineage in the modern era. After studying philosophy at Kyoto University, he trained under Kanzan Sōsen and later under the renowned master Seki Mokuan, eventually becoming the teacher of the Tenryū-ji training hall. He served as professor and later honorary professor at Hanazono University, contributing significantly to the study and transmission of Zen thought. In 1991 he was appointed the ninth Chief Abbot of the Tenryū-ji branch and the head priest of Tenryū-ji, guiding the sect’s religious and educational activities. Alongside his monastic leadership, he produced a large body of calligraphy and ink paintings, known for their vigorous brushwork and direct expression of Zen spirit. He often signed his works with the names “Seikō,” “So’ō,” or other names, and his pieces—ranging from Zen phrases and ensō to simple ink figures—remain widely appreciated for their clarity, strength, and spiritual presence.