This letter was written by the Japanese monk and poet Ryōkan to his friend Abe, a local village official who often helped him with daily needs. It’s brushed on gray paper in seven graceful lines, the spacing open and the handwriting calm and elegant. In the letter, Ryōkan greets his friend during winter, thanks him for his advice, and asks him to send regards to the village doctor. He signs off with the humble phrase, “This wild monk is as usual,”a simple reminder of his quiet life in a small grass hut. Most of the letter is written in Japanese kana, with gentle, slightly leaning strokes that seem to breathe with feeling. Through its modest lines, this letter becomes more than correspondence — it’s a portrait of friendship, gratitude, and the peaceful heart of a wandering monk.
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