Yokoi Kinkoku (横äºÂéÂÂè°·, Hà Âreki 11 <1761> - the 1st month and 10th day of Tenpà  3 <February 1, 1832>) was a wanderer, monk of Jà Âdo-shà « Buddhism, a painter of Buddhist imagery, and a painter influenced by the Southern School of Chinese painting during the late Edo period. Much of the information known about Kinkoku comes from his autobiography, Biography of the Monk Kinkoku (Kinkoku Shà Ânin Goichidai-ki), which was translated by Fujimori Seikichi into modern Japanese in 1965 under the title of A Record of the Monk Kinkoku's Behavior (Kinkoku Shà Ânin Gyà Âjà Â-ki). According to Fister, Kinkoku's autobiography has many inaccuracies, such as dates and the use of the incorrect homophonic kanji. It is also speculated that Kinkoku used the work of others in his autobiography such as a journey based on Shiba Kà Âkan's work rather than his own experience.
Kinkoku was born in à Âmi Province, Kurita-gun, Shimogasa-mura (modern day Kusatsu-shi in Shiga Prefecture) to father Yokoi Kohei and mother known only by the clan name Yamada. His childhood name was Hayamatsu. In Meiwa 6 (1769), he began training under his mother's younger brother, Head Priest Enà Â, of Sà Âkin Temple in à Âsaka, Tenma, Kitano-mura (in the region of modern-day à Âsaka-shi, Kita-ku and Chà «bu). He was given the Buddhist name Sà Âyo Myà Âdà Â.
There is some speculation that at the age of 13, Kinkoku went to Kyà Âto and studied under Yosa Buson; however, Kinkoku himself did not include this information in his autobiography. Whether the pupil of Yosa Buson or not, Kinkoku was influenced by Buson's work later in his life.
In 1775, Kinkoku left for Edo, allegedly growing tired of the stringent lifestyle. However, he was also an alleged troublemaker and was frequently punished for his misdeeds, which may be another reason for his decision to leave for Edo. While in Edo, Kinkoku entered the Zà Âjo-ji and simultaneously attended the Kanei-ji temple school. During that time, he studied Buddhism, Confucianism, Sanskrit, and other doctrines. Kinkoku was eventually expelled from the temple due to his misconduct, which allegedly included visiting the gay quarters of Edo. He then proceeded to Renkà Â-ji located in Ibaraki and then found himself in Shimosa (modern day Chiba). While in Shimosa, Kinkoku had a short-lived marriage. After divorcing his wife, Kinkoku joined the Gannin Bà Âzu Buddhist sect at a temple called Shà Âetsubà Â.
Kinkoku briefly returned home before growing restless and leaving for Fushimi near Kyà Âto. At Fushimi, he was a pupil to Kà Âgetsuan Jakumon, and would study in Kyà Âto with Ryà « Shà Ânin. While there, he also learned from Ryà «zan Hà Âin of the Jà Âdo-shà « and under Daidà Âbà  of the Hossà  Buddhist sect.
When he turned 21, Kinkoku was given an imperial order of Kà Âsendai and was invited to be the head priest of Gokuraku-ji on Mt. Kinkoku, from which Kinkoku took his name. During this time, Kinkoku continued his mischief and frequently visited the pleasure quarters. He also began studying jà Âruri and taking up gambling, further distancing himself from what was deemed appropriate for a Buddhist monk and partaking in worldly desires. In 1788, a great fire occurred in Kyà Âto and Kinkoku's temple was destroyed.
Kinkoku wandered to a placed called Kinosaki and befriended many Japanese literati who were scholars, painters, engravers, and even monks. Eventually, Kinkoku found himself in à Âsaka and while lecturing in Kyà Ânoshima, Kinkoku painted Enkà  Daishi Ekotoba. From then on, he was often asked to paint scenes as he continued his wandering through places like Nagasaki and Yamaguchi.
Eventually, Kinkoku found himself in Akà  where he married the daughter of Hara Tà Âemon, Hisako Tà Âemon, whose father Hara Sà Âemon was one of the 47 rà Ânin, and was given Sà Âemon's sword as a wedding present (eventually Kinkoku was known as the sword-bearing monk). He continued going against the Buddhist path through things such as hunting and fishing, and eventually went to Kyà Âto, leaving his wife behind to tend to his parents who had died in 1781 and 1792. Kinkoku eventually returned to his wife, and they headed for Ise and continued wandering.
At some point while on the way to Edo, Kinkoku and his pregnant wife arrived in Nagoya where their son Fukutarà  was born. They settled in Nagoya for some time as wandering would be difficult a young child. While there, Kinkoku taught painting and eventually studied painted with Chà  Gesshà Â.
Toward the end of his life, Kinkoku had created several paintings and continued to wander to various places. He tried taking up the hobby of writing haiku and other poetry. The following is an example of one of his poems:
<small>Yamazakura (Mountain cherry trees)</small>
<small>Teishi Amida no (Amida of Teishi)</small>
<small>Asahi no kage (In the morning light)</small>
During his wandering, Kinkoku was able to become a yamabushi and would frequently return to his family, often taking his son with him on travels. Kinkoku also eventually had a daughter.
Kinkoku continued to wander, paint, and work on his poetry and writing throughout his life. He eventually retired to his birthplace where he died at the age of 72.