Shun’oku Soen died on the ninth day of the second month at the age of eighty-three

SHUN’OKU SOEN DIED ON THE NINTH DAY OF THE SECOND MONTH AT THE AGE OF EIGHTY-THREE (E A D G B E)

 

Lyrics taken from Japanese Death Poems p.115

 

It is written that on the day of his death he sensed that his end was near. He requested his attendant to hold his brush and dictated his death poem to him. Then he himself took the brush, wrote the date, signed his name and wrote “Farewell.”

 

Adrift between the earth and sky

I call to the east and change it west.

I flourish my staff and return once again

To my source.