[About the Book]

Enku, a wandering monk of Japan’s Edo period, left behind distinctive Buddhist sculptures across the country. Yet popular legends-such as the claim that he carved 120,000 Buddhist images-have often overshadowed a deeper understanding of who he truly was.

This book delves into the still-enigmatic actions and thoughts of Enku, interpreting the messages embedded like “hidden texts” in his waka poetry and sculptures. What kind of life did he lead, and what convictions guided him as he carved his uniquely expressive Buddhist figures?

Focusing on his transformative years at Enku-ji Temple in Ise as a turning point, the book reveals Enku’s evolution beyond the boundaries of religion into a thinker and educator. This unprecedented study of Enku’s character sheds new light on the life of a monk who “carved the soul”-a figure long obscured by myth, now brought vividly into view.

[Author Profile]
Haruo Ito

Born in 1934 (Shōwa 9), he resides in Nagoya. After graduating from Nagoya University’s School of Engineering with a degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1958 (Shōwa 33), he joined Chubu Electric Power Co., working in its nuclear-power division. In July 1987 (Shōwa 62), he was appointed to the Secretariat of the Chubu Nuclear Power Council. In October 1999 (Heisei 11), he left C-TECH.
After retirement, he developed a deep interest in history-particularly ancient history and Enku studies. In November 2005 (Heisei 17), his work “A Journey to Solve the Mysteries of the Gishi Wajinden” was selected in the Agency for Cultural Affairs’ “Japan’s 100 Best Journeys” public contest. In March 2021 (Reiwa 3), he published “The Virtuous Voice of Enku That Reached the Imperial Court” in the journal of the Nagoya Local Culture Association, attracting attention with theories that depart from conventional views.
This e-book edition is expanded and revised as appropriate from Enku and Enku-ji in Ise (2023), published by Bookshop My Town.