The Soto Sect (曹洞宗) was spread through all of Japan by Meiho Sotetsu (明峰素哲, 1277-1350) and Gasan Joseki (峨山韶碩, 1276-1366), pupils of Keizan Jokin (瑩山紹瑾, 1268-1325). Among Gasan Joseki's followers, Taigen Sosin (太源宗真, ?-1371), Tsugen Jakurei (通幻寂霊,1322-1391), Mutan Sokan (無端祖環, ?-1387), Daitetsu Sorei (大徹宗令, 1333-1408) and Jippo Ryoshu (実峰良秀, ?-1405), developed Soujiji (總持寺) in Noto (能登) as a home base.
Here I would like to fbcus on Taigen Sosin's pupil Sekichyu Eisan (石宙永珊, ?-1487?).
After becoming a priest and walking throughout the land when young, Eisan became Senso Esai (川僧慧済, ?-1475)'s pupil, and erected the temple Choshoin (長松院) with the patronage of Kawai Munetada (河井宗忠), master of the center of Matsuba castle (松葉城主). Eisan also lived in Ichiunsai (一雲斎) and Daitouin (大洞院).
Attention was drawn to Eisan in the Shizuoka prefectural history (『静岡県史』) where we read that Iwao Nakada (中田祝夫) of Tokyo University Historiographical Institute credits Eisan as the author of the Ninten ganmokusho (『人天眼目抄』).
Therefore I would like to discuss Eisan's life and the problem of the Ninten ganmokusho.
