Zen and Japanese Culture

by Suzuki, Daisetz T.

• ISBN13: 9780691144627
• ISBN10: 0691144621
• Edition: Reprint
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2010-09-13
• Publisher: Princeton Univ Pr

Summary

Zen and Japanese Cultureis one of the twentieth century's leading works on Zen, and a valuable source for those wishing to understand its concepts in the context of Japanese life and art. In simple, often poetic, language, Daisetz Suzuki describes his conception of Zen and its historical evolution. He connects Zen to the philosophy of the samurai, and subtly portrays the relationship between Zen and swordsmanship, haiku, tea ceremonies, and the Japanese love of nature. Suzuki's contemplative work is enhanced by anecdotes, poetry, and illustrations showing silk screens, calligraphy, and examples of architecture.Since its original publication in 1938, this important work has played a major role in shaping conceptions of Zen's influence on Japanese traditional arts. Richard Jaffe's introduction acquaints a new generation of readers with Suzuki's life and career in both Japan and America. Jaffe discusses howZen and Japanese Culturewas received upon its first publication and analyzes the book in light of contemporary criticism, especially by scholars of Japanese Buddhism.

Author Biography

Daisetz T. Suzuki (1870-1966) was Japan's foremost authority on Zen Buddhism and the author of more than one hundred books on the subject.

Table of Contents

Introduction to the 2010 Edition	p. vii
Preface	p. xxix
List of Plates	p. xxxi
Chronology	p. xliv
What Is Zen?	p. 1
General Remarks on Japanese Art Culture	p. 19
Zen and the Study of Confucianism	p. 39
Zen and the Samurai	p. 59
Zen and Swordsmanship I	p. 87
Zen and Swordsmanship II	p. 137
Zen and Haiku	p. 215
Zen and the Art of Tea I	p. 269
Zen and the Art of Tea II	p. 291
Rikyu and Other Teamen	p. 315
Love of Nature	p. 329
Appendices	p. 397
Two Mondo from the "Hekigan-shu"	p. 399
The Vimalakirti Sutra	p. 410
"Yama-uba," a No Play	p. 419
The Swordsman and the Cat	p. 428
Chuang-tzu	p. 436
Bibliography	p. 443
Index	p. 449
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