56. Gen’i viewing the moon from his castle

Gen'i (Maeda no Munehisa, 1536-1602) was a wise priest and shrewd politician, who had a successful career despite the complications of the civil war. Here he is seen reclining on the veranda of Kameyama Castle in Tamba Province, where he may be reflecting on the material world that is clouding the Buddha nature. His poem reads: “Usually I dislike a cloudy sky - tonight I realize that it makes me appreciate the light of the moon.” (June 1887)