Ryokan-sama: Zen Monk, Gentle Soul, Poet, Children's Favorite Children's

Ryokan-sama (1758-1834) is beloved in Niigata (He was born in Izumozaki). I recently met an elderly woman (at the neighborhood park where the first photo was taken) who explained that she often viaits to commune with Ryokan. The monk was an accomplished poet, some of my favorite lines being: One morning death comes before They can use even half their money. Others happily receive the estate, And the deceased's name is soon lost in darkness. For such people there can only be great pity. href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS7gM7wXqwoRH6mKoq5RO655wuWzoOugrIVmEAMZQZWCbmDpjGxrdjHZUN7Ymw1J3EA1WfqzBh4SuvLKMqseFbjYAiyNXXmHT3ybbRWGzd5lqobzaVmyqYdjRmYtRPP30RF88IvKFK80glVCC6KeOlwNuhYk1P2snmPLU39dulzpyeFHwqM3Su/s4032/1000010155.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; ">