Ikkyu Sojun, one of the most famous Japanese Zen monks and poets, was born in 1394 in the city of Kyoto, Japan. He was born into a noble family, with his father being a governor and his mother a member of the royal family. However, at the age of five, Ikkyu was sent to a Zen temple to be trained as a monk.

Ikkyu's early life was marked by tragedy and loss. His mother passed away when he was just seven years old, and his father died when he was ten. These experiences had a profound impact on Ikkyu and shaped his views on life and death. He became disillusioned with the materialistic lifestyle of the nobility and turned towards Zen Buddhism for guidance.

At the age of thirteen, Ikkyu began his formal training as a monk at the renowned Daitokuji temple in Kyoto. He studied under the guidance of the famous Zen master Kaso Sotan, who recognized Ikkyu's intelligence and potential. Under Kaso's tutelage, Ikkyu excelled in his studies and became a fully ordained monk at the age of twenty.

After completing his training, Ikkyu traveled to various temples in Japan, studying under different Zen masters and deepening his understanding of Zen Buddhism. He also spent time in solitude, meditating and writing poetry. It was during this time that he developed a rebellious and unconventional attitude towards the strict rules and traditions of the Zen establishment.

In 1454, at the age of sixty, Ikkyu was appointed as the abbot of Daitokuji temple. However, his unorthodox views and behavior caused controversy among the other monks, and he was eventually forced to resign. This rejection by the Zen establishment only strengthened Ikkyu's determination to spread his own unique interpretation of Zen Buddhism.

Ikkyu spent the rest of his life traveling and teaching, often challenging the traditional teachings of Zen and advocating for a more personal and individualized approach to enlightenment. He also continued to write poetry, which became renowned for its raw and honest depiction of human emotions and struggles.

Ikkyu Sojun passed away in 1481 at the age of eighty-seven. Despite facing opposition and criticism during his lifetime, he left a lasting impact on Zen Buddhism and Japanese culture. His teachings and poetry continue to inspire people to this day, making him one of the most influential figures in Japanese history.