The story is set in 18th century Japan, and features a conflict between four very different characters - Oboko (nb, Obaku is a form of Zen), a poet of the wind and Buddhist monk; Izzi, court poet and extrovert; Lord Arishi, samurai and lord of the realm; and finally Matari, beautiful, intelligent, and on the run for her life.
After settling at an Ōbaku Zen Temple and becoming a monk, he produced numerous works of calligraphy.
On May 21, 1673 (Enpō 1, 5th day of the 4th month), the Chinese Buddhist teacher Ingen died in the Obaku Zen temple, Mampuku-ji at Uji.
Muyan (Japanese: Mokuan Shoto, 1611–1684), Chinese Chan monk and a founder of the Ōbaku Zen school in Japan