Zen and Japanese Culture

by Daisetz T. Suzuki, Richard M. Jaffe

Overview

Zen and Japanese Culture is 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 how Zen and Japanese Culture was received upon its first publication and analyzes the book in light of contemporary criticism, especially by scholars of Japanese Buddhism.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780691144627
Publisher:	Princeton University Press
Publication date:	10/03/2010
Series:	Mythos: The Princeton/Bollingen Series in World Mythology , #336
Edition description:	With a New introduction by Richard M. Jaffe
Pages:	608
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 1.50(d)

About the Author

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 vii

Preface xxix

List of Plates xxxi

Chronology xliv

I What is Zen? 1

II General Remarks on Japanese Art Culture 19

IIIZen and the Study of Confucianism 39

IV Zen and the Samurai 59

V Zen and Swordsmanship I 87

VI Zen and Swordsmanship II 137

VII Zen and Haiku 215

VIII Zen and the Art of Tea I 269

IX Zen and the Art of Tea II 291

X Rikyu and Other Teamen 315

XI Love of Nature 329

Appendices 397

I Two Mnodo from the "Hekigan-shu 399

II The Vimalakirti Sutra 410

III "Yama-uba," a No Play

IV The Swordsman and the Cat 428

V Chuang-tzu 436

Bibliography 443

Index 449

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"As one turns the pages of this delightful book, one seems to catch intimations of how and why certain aspects of the 'spirit of Zen' are making themselves felt in America today."
—New York Times

"[In] Dr. Suzuki’s beautiful book . . . the cults of tea, sword, archery, garden, painting, handwriting are shown as separate petals of that precious efflorescence which, in spite of history, madness and the disturbed surface of the tangible world, are celebrated today, inside and outside of many golden pavilions."
—The Nation

"This is one of those books you read to the last page without ever finishing; you keep going back for more—and finding it. . . . Zen and Japanese Culture covers familiar territory in unfamiliar ways."
—Japan Times

Editorial Reviews

"Praise for Princeton's previous editions: As one turns the pages of this delightful book, one seems to catch intimations of how and why certain aspects of the "spirit of Zen" are making themselves felt in America today."

The New York Times

"Praise for Princeton's previous editions: [In] Dr. Suzuki's beautiful book, . . . the cults of tea, sword, archery, garden, painting, handwriting are shown as separate petals of that precious efflorescence which, in spite of history, madness and the disturbed surface of the tangible world, are celebrated today, inside and outside of many golden pavilions."—-Lincoln Kirstein, The Nation

From the Publisher

Praise for Princeton's previous editions: As one turns the pages of this delightful book, one seems to catch intimations of how and why certain aspects of the "spirit of Zen" are making themselves felt in America today."

The New York Times

Praise for Princeton's previous editions: [In] Dr. Suzuki's beautiful book, . . . the cults of tea, sword, archery, garden, painting, handwriting are shown as separate petals of that precious efflorescence which, in spite of history, madness and the disturbed surface of the tangible world, are celebrated today, inside and outside of many golden pavilions.

The Nation - Lincoln Kirstein

Praise for Princeton's previous editions : [In] Dr. Suzuki's beautiful book, . . . the cults of tea, sword, archery, garden, painting, handwriting are shown as separate petals of that precious efflorescence which, in spite of history, madness and the disturbed surface of the tangible world, are celebrated today, inside and outside of many golden pavilions.
— Lincoln Kirstein

The Nation