Zen Buddhism and Its Influence on Japanese Culture
Showa period, dated 1938 / Book, typeset on paper
A work dealing with Zen thought as Eastern philosophy. The book was
originally written in English and intended as an introduction for
Westerners to Japanese culture as influenced by Zen Buddhist thought.
The first English edition was published by the Eastern Buddhist Society.
Following this, the Japanese translation by Momo'o Kitagawa was
published by Iwanami Shoten and remains a widely read work in Japan as
both an introduction to Zen Buddhism and a tool for deepening
understanding of Japanese culture. It is considered a classic work on
both subjects. The earlier English version was translated into German
and published in 1941, and in 1958 was released in revised format as Zen
and Japanese Culture out of New York and London.
This work has the words "Author's Copy" on the spine and inner title
page, and is signed (in Japanese) with the name "Suzuki Daisetz" on the
back cover. Several handwritten comments also appear on the contents
page.