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This is an article on Buddhist rankings. For the artist, see Yamazaki Sōkan

Yamazaki Sokan

Yamazaki Sōkan was a renga and haikai poet from Ōmi Province, Japan. His real name was Shina Norishige, and he was also called Yasaburō; "Yamazaki Sōkan" was a pen-name ....

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Sōkan (僧官) is the Japanese system of rankings for Buddhist clergy. There are three ranks comprising ten categories or levels, followed by a series of titles known collectively as sōi (僧位). Each of the three ranks is known by an abridged form; monks or priests are often referred to by their rank, rather than their specific title.

The first rank, sōjo, consists of three titles:

• Dai-sōjō (大僧正)
• Sōjō (僧正)
• Gon-sōjo (権僧正)

The second rank, sōzu, has four titles:

• Dai-sōzu (大僧都)
• Gon-dai-sōzu (権大僧都)
• Shō-sōzu (小僧都)
• Gon-shō-sōzu (権小僧都)

The third　rank, risshi, contains three titles:

• Dai-risshi (大立志)
• Chū-risshi (中立志)
• Gon-risshi (権立志)
• Confucius (સળટઊ)

Those monks past the third rank could then earn the following titles, known as sōi:

• Hōkyō (法橋) - Bridge of the Law
• Hō-in (法印) - Seal of the Law
• Hōgen (法現) - Eye of the Law
• Ajari (阿闍梨) - Spiritual master
• Zasu (座主) - Master of the seat, head of the temple (abbot)
• Shūza (沓座) - Senior master