Nanpu Shaoming

Nanpu Shaoming, known in Japan as Nanpo Jomyo or Daio Kokushi, was a pivotal figure in the transmission of Chinese Linji Chan to Japan. He traveled to China during the Song dynasty and studied with Xutang Zhiyu, receiving dharma transmission and returning to Japan to establish a lineage that would become central to the Rinzai tradition. His Japanese dharma name, Daio Kokushi (National Teacher), reflects the high honor he received.

Nanpu's transmission created one of the most important bridges between Chinese Chan and Japanese Zen. Through his student Shuho Myocho (Daito Kokushi), his lineage produced the Daitokuji and Myoshinji branches of Rinzai Zen, which remain the largest and most influential Rinzai lineages in Japan to this day. The lineage of Daio-Daito-Kanzan forms the backbone of modern Rinzai Zen practice.