History of Hyoso

The first appearance of Hyohoe-shi

The introduction of Zen Buddhism in the Kamakura – Muromachi period (1185-1573) of Japan
was the first turning point in the history of mounting. Bushi (Japanese samurai warrior), who
superseded the social class of aristocracy, started widely practicing Buddhism during the time,
leading a blossoming of the interaction among Zen monks and in the Sung dynasty in China.
This is the time when the established mounting form as well as the term “hyohoe” (Chinese-
derived pronunciation used in the Sung Dynasty) was introduced to Japan. In this mounting form,
the styles of mounting were determined based on the quality of the calligraphic works.