Abstract

Biography of Uchiyama Gudo: A Misunderstood Zen Monk": This is a biography of Zen monk Uchiyama Gudo (1874-1911) who was executed at the age of 37 in connection with the High Treason Incident in 1910 (Meiji 43). The book sheds light on the Buddhist aspect of Gudo, whose socialist and anarchist aspects have been previously emphasized, through the writings and letters he left behind. It addresses how Gudo perceived the state, war, social status, wealth disparity, and gender differences in the Meiji period based on Buddhist thought, and what he advocated. 150 years after the Meiji Restoration, the thoughts and actions of a Zen monk ahead of his time are now revealed. Notes and a chronology of Uchiyama Gudo are included at the end.

Author’s Information

Yoshinori Sanada
1937-2017. Born in Niigata Prefecture. Graduated from the Faculty of Law, Chuo University, and completed the doctoral program at the Graduate School of Law, Chuo University. He specialized in Roman law, comparative law, Islamic law, and legal ethics. He served as a professor at the Faculty of Law, Chuo University, a visiting professor at the Comparative Law Research Institute, China University of Political Science and Law, director of the Japan Comparative Law Institute, chairman of the Legal Culture Society, chairman of the Regional Culture Society, councilor of Rissho Kosei-kai, director of the Nino Peace Foundation, director of the Peace Research Institute, Japan Committee of the World Conference of Religions for Peace (WCRP), advisor to the Central Academic Research Institute, and head of Yoshiyoshi Women's Academy Information International School. In 2015, he received the Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon. His main works include "Introduction to Law" and "Spirit of Islamic Law" (both by Chuo University Press), "Introduction to Islam for Japanese People", "Can People Judge People?" (both by Kosho Publishing), and many translated books and papers.