title: Sanpitsu
text: # Sanpitsu
  
  The term Sanpitsu (三筆) or "three brushes" is used in Japanese to refer to a group of three famous Heian period calligraphers:
  
  * Emperor Saga 嵯峨天皇, 786–842.
  * Kūkai 空海, 774–835.
  * Tachibana no Hayanari, 橘逸勢 c. 782-842.
  
  Later groups of calligraphers were named in imitation of the original Sanpitsu.
  
  ## Kan'ei Sanpitsu (寛永三筆)
  
  Named for the Kan'ei period in which they flourished:
  
  * Honami Kōetsu 本阿弥光悦, 1558-1637
  * Konoe Nobutada 近衛信尹, 1565-1614
  * Shōkadō Shōjō 松花堂昭乗, 1584-1639
  
  ## Ōbaku no Sanpitsu (黄檗三筆)
  
  Zen Chinese calligraphers who worked in Japan.
  
  * Ingen Ryūki, 隱元隆琦 1592-1673
  * Mokuan Shōtō,木庵性瑫 1611-1684
  * Sokuhi Nyoitsu, 即非如一 1616-1671
  
  ## Bakumatsu no Sanpitsu (幕末の三筆)
  
  * Ichikawa Beian (市河米庵) 1779-1858
  * Nukina Sūō (貫名菘翁) 1778-1863
  * Maki Ryōko (巻菱湖) 1777-1843
  
  ## Meiji no Sanpitsu (明治の三筆)
  
  * Nakabayashi Gochiku (中林梧竹) 1827-1913
  * Kusakabe Meikaku (日下部鳴鶴) 1838-1922
  * Iwaya Ichiroku (巌谷一六) 1834-1905
  
  ## Shōwa no Sanpitsu (昭和の三筆)
  
  * Hibino Gohō (日比野五鳳) 1901-1985
  * Teshima Yūkei (手島右卿) 1901-1987
  * Nishikawa Yasushi (西川寧) 1902-1989
  