Ryōkan Taigu’s legacy rests above all in the rare harmony between his Zen realization and the way he allowed it to permeate every aspect of his life and art. As a Sōtō Zen monk who chose the path of the hermit, he came to embody ideals of poverty, humility, non‑attachment, compassion, and childlike simplicity. Later generations have regarded him as a paradigmatic “poet‑monk,” a figure who preserved an unworldly, non‑institutional form of Zen. His life of voluntary simplicity, his interactions with villagers and children, and his distance from power and status offered a model of authentic spiritual living that continues to resonate. In this way, his very existence became a kind of living commentary on Zen, humanizing it and making it more approachable.

In the realm of literature, Ryōkan’s contribution lies in a distinctive poetic voice that fuses profound Zen insight with plain, accessible language. Writing in both waka and Chinese‑style verse, he favored an unadorned, colloquial tone over ornate classical expression, allowing themes such as impermanence, emptiness, and non‑self to emerge through scenes of ordinary life. Begging for alms, mending robes, playing with children, or quietly observing the moon and changing seasons, he revealed the depth of Zen within the most familiar experiences. This approach bridged classical poetic traditions and Zen philosophy while also making spiritual reflection available to readers who might otherwise find doctrinal texts remote. His work thus stands as a touchstone for those seeking a direct, unpretentious articulation of spiritual experience.

Ryōkan’s influence on Japanese literature and aesthetics can also be seen in the way his poetry reinforced ideals of simplicity and naturalness. His verses helped to renew appreciation for the figure of the recluse or hermit‑poet, linking the Zen path with rural and folk life rather than with courtly or warrior elites. Over time, poets and essayists have drawn inspiration from his emotional openness and lack of artifice, finding in his example a way to write that is both spiritually grounded and deeply human. His poems and letters, preserved by disciples and admirers and later widely circulated, have continued to shape how Zen sensibility is expressed in literary form.

Equally significant is Ryōkan’s calligraphic legacy, which mirrors his poetic sensibility. His brushwork, often described as spontaneous and unrestrained, is prized as an expression of Zen realization that values vitality and sincerity over technical polish. In this, he contributed to a broader appreciation of Zen calligraphy as an art in which character and insight are visible in each stroke. The preservation and study of his writings and calligraphy, along with their presence in educational and cultural contexts, testify to a lasting impact that extends beyond sectarian boundaries. Through this intertwining of life, word, and line, Ryōkan stands as a figure in whom spiritual depth and artistic expression are inseparable.