Quote by Ryokan: “If you want to know me, ask the weeds growing in my garden.”

This metaphorical quote conveys a deep connection to nature and a life of simplicity. It suggests that his true essence and values are reflected not in grand achievements, but in his humble, natural surroundings and unpretentious existence, a testament to authenticity.

Ryōkan famously lived a simple, often reclusive life in rural Japan, embracing poverty and spending his days in nature, writing poetry, and cultivating his garden. His lifestyle reflected a rejection of worldly ambition for spiritual freedom.

Japanese Zen Buddhist monk and poet of the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, renowned for his simple lifestyle, love of children, and deeply personal calligraphy and verse. He lived alone in a mountain hut for much of his life, refusing temple appointments and administrative roles in favor of wandering, writing, and play. His poems are among the most beloved in Japanese literary tradition.