Shoujuan

Shoju-an is a small Rinzai Zen hermitage located in the snowy mountain village of Iiyama, Nagano Prefecture. Founded in 1666 (Kanbun 6) by Zen master Dokyo Etan, it is known as the dwelling of the teacher of Hakuin Ekaku, who is revered as the reviver of the Rinzai school of Zen Buddhism. The hermitage is designated as a Nagano Prefecture historical site. Practitioners have gathered here through harsh winters and gentle spring thaws to deepen their Zen practice in meditative silence.