Taiko Gyoyu (退耕行勇)
Gyoyu TAIKO (1163 - August 13, 1241) was a priest of the Rinzai sect of Buddhism who lived during the early Kamakura period. His secular surname was SHIJO. His imina (personal name) was Gyoyu. His dogo (a pseudonym as a priest) was Taiko. He also called himself Shogonbo. His birthplace is considered to be Yamashiro Province or Sagami Province.
At first he studied Mikkyo (Esoteric Buddhism). Then he became a Guso (shrine monk) of Kamakura Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gu Shrine and served as a Betto (administrator of a Buddhist temple) of Kamakura Yofuku-ji Temple Ruins and Daiji-ji Temple. He accepted MINAMOTO no Yoritomo (husband) and Masako HOJO (wife) as they became Buddhism believers. He served as a Kaishi (the priest who imparts the Buddhist commandments) for Masako when she entered into priesthood and took the tonsure. He practiced Zen meditation with Eisai at Jufuku-ji Temple and became his disciple when Eisai went down to Kamakura in 1200. In 1206, he succeeded Eisai as a Kanjin (the priest who collects contributions) of Todai-ji Temple. Yoritomo repeatedly came to see Gyoyu in Jufuku-ji Temple. In 1219, he went up to Mt. Koya to found Kongosanmai-in Temple and made the temple as a dojo (training hall) for ascetic practices of both Zen and Mikkyo. He founded Kamakura Tosho-ji Temple (in Kamakura City) by the support of Yasutoki HOJO, and also Jomyo-ji Temple (in Kamakura City) by the support of Ashikaga clan.