Cantian AI
Start
English
BaZi Case Library / Religion/ Jianzhen (鑑真 / Ganjin)
CASE DETAIL

Jianzhen (鑑真 / Ganjin)

Jianzhen, known in Japan as Ganjin, was a Tang monk from Yangzhou. After repeated failed voyages and the loss of his sight, he reached Japan, transmitted formal ordination, and became tied to the founding memory of Toshodai-ji.

Birth
0688 12:00 · Jiangyang County, Yangzhou
Gender
Male
Time Source
Web search

Birth Time Verification

The online BaZi source gives the four pillars Wu-Zi, Wu-Wu, Bing-Zi, and Jia-Wu. With the Jia-Wu hour in place, the Bing Fire Day Master is born in the Wu month, with Wu appearing again in the hour branch, so Fire is very strong. Zi appears in both the year and day branches, making the Zi-Wu clash part of the natal chart rather than a later decoration. That pattern fits the public life events unusually well: repeated blocked voyages from 742, being driven to Hainan and losing his sight in 748, and still reaching Japan on the sixth attempt in 753. The Jia-Wu hour adds Jia as indirect resource, which suits Buddhist lineage and Vinaya transmission, while the Wu hour keeps the drive visible. The two Wu earth stems as Eating God also point to teaching, medicine, ordination work, and passing experience to disciples. The biographical record is stable at the birth year 688. The month, day, and hour follow this online BaZi chart; the useful point is how the Jia-Wu hour, Zi-Wu clash, Eating God transmission, and indirect-resource lineage support the public life pattern.
Confirmed Time
12:00
Hour
甲午
Time Source
Web search

Core Analysis

This chart centers on a Bing Fire Day Master born in a Wu month. The month and hour branches both carry Wu fire, while the year and day branches both carry Zi water. The whole structure is driven by Zi-Wu clashes: resolve and obstruction appear together.

Wu earth appears twice as Eating God, pointing to teaching, medicine, craft, and transmission. Zi water stores Direct Officer, which fits Vinaya, rules, formal ordination, and religious authority. Jianzhen did not merely travel; he carried a rule-based tradition across the sea.

The Jia-Wu hour matters because Jia is Indirect Resource to Bing Fire, showing doctrine, lineage, and inner support. The same Wu fire adds force. The hard voyages, blindness, and final success all read naturally through repeated fire-water conflict.

Key BaZi Signals
Main Line
Bing Fire Day Master
Structure
Month Stem Wu Eating God
Relations
Year Branch Zi · Day Branch Zi

Traits

01

Ordination Work

Eating God with hidden Direct Officer fits teaching a rule-bound religious practice.

02

Voyage Resolve

Strong Wu fire under repeated clashes shows movement despite danger.

03

Endurance

Fire-water conflict marks harm, while Indirect Resource keeps the vow alive.

04

Institutional Legacy

Direct Officer is quiet but persistent, fitting a lasting Vinaya institution.

Timeline

Each year shows the event, luck pillar, annual pillar, relations, and interpretation for direct comparison.

688
0yrs Personal

Born in Yangzhou under a fire-water chart

Jianzhen was born in Jiangyang County, Yangzhou. The biography supports the year 688; the chart source gives the four pillars Wu-Zi, Wu-Wu, Bing-Zi, Jia-Wu.

BaZi Note
Bing Fire is born in a Wu month, with strong Fire in the chart and Zi water in both the year and day branches. This gives a repeated Zi-Wu clash. Fire shows resolve and action; Zi water as Direct Officer points to Vinaya, rules, and religious order.
701
13yrs Personal

Entered Dayun Temple

In 701, Jianzhen entered Dayun Temple in Yangzhou as a novice monk.

BaZi Note
Xin is Direct Wealth for Bing Fire, and Chou stores Gui water as Direct Officer. The Zi-Chou combination draws out the rule-bound side of the chart. Entering the temple as a novice fits discipline, daily practice, and early training.
709
21yrs Career

Received full ordination in Chang'an

In 709, he went to Chang'an and received full ordination while studying the Vinaya tradition.

BaZi Note
Ji earth as Hurting Officer can mean explanation, technical skill, and the ability to teach. With Zi water as Direct Officer, the year fits formal ordination and study under a Vinaya lineage.
742
54yrs Career

Accepted the call to Japan

In 742, Japanese monks invited him to bring formal ordination to Japan. He accepted, but the first attempt was stopped.

BaZi Note
Ren water as Seven Killings brings pressure and risk, while Wu fire pushes movement. This year shows a decision to cross the sea, along with official obstruction and danger.
748
60yrs Fortune

Fifth voyage failed, eyesight lost

In 748, the fifth voyage was blown far south to Hainan. On the return journey he lost his sight after illness and poor treatment.

BaZi Note
The Wu-Zi year repeats the natal Wu-Zi pattern. Zi water presses against the two Wu branches, making travel, illness, injury, and heavy physical cost easier to see. Eating God still shows the vow to teach was not broken.
753
65yrs Career

The sixth voyage succeeded

In 753, Jianzhen finally crossed to Japan with the Japanese envoy ships.

BaZi Note
Gui water as Direct Officer gives formal status and religious authority. Si joining Wu adds fire force, so the chart can show both official ordination work and enough drive to complete the voyage.
759
71yrs Career

Toshodai-ji took shape

In 759, his disciples formed Toshodai-ji from the granted residence, and Jianzhen moved there.

BaZi Note
Ji earth points to teaching and the shaping of practice. Hai water connects with the natal Zi branches, helping the Vinaya line settle into a temple, disciples, and a lasting place.
763
75yrs Personal

Passed away at Toshodai-ji

In 763, Jianzhen passed away at Toshodai-ji. His disciples made the statue still remembered today.

BaZi Note
Gui water returns the focus to Vinaya, name, and final standing. Mao touches both Zi and Wu, while the aging body was already weak. The year reads more like completion than expansion.

FAQ

How firm is Jianzhen's BaZi source? +
The four pillars come from a modern BaZi case source. Historical biography supports the birth year 688, but not a verified full birth time, so this page treats the pillars as a chart claim rather than a proven birth timestamp.
Why is the Zi-Wu clash important? +
The chart has Zi in the year and day branches, and Wu in the month and hour branches. That repeated clash fits the pattern of voyages, official obstruction, illness, blindness, and eventual arrival.
How does Eating God fit his life? +
Wu earth Eating God appears twice. In this reading it points to teaching, medicine, craft, and cultural transmission.
What does the Jia-Wu hour add? +
Jia is Indirect Resource for Bing Fire, showing doctrine and lineage support. The Wu branch adds force, but the hour is taken from the chart source, not from a historical clock record.

Read Your BaZi

After reading a public case, you can also generate a BaZi report for yourself.

Get My Report