Abstract

The world of Misuzu Kaneko, who cast a "deep, gentle gaze" on everything and advocated "coexistence," is vividly described from the fresh perspectives of six authors.

Author’s Information

Setsuo Yazaki
Children's song poet. While enrolled at university, he studied under Yoshimi Sato and Michio Mado. He was deeply impacted by Misuzu Kaneko's works, and published 512 of her pieces in "Misuzu Kaneko Complete Works".

Machiko Satonaka
Born in 1956 in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan, Machiko Satonaka graduated from the Department of Chinese Literature, Faculty of Letters, Keio University. After experiencing various jobs, she entered Tenryu-ji, a Zen temple in Kyoto, in 1983. From 1986, she served as the vice-abbot of Fukujū-ji, a temple in Miharu, Fukushima, and became the abbot in 2008. Besides her duties as a priest, she continued to write. Her debut novel "Mizu no Bisen" (Shinchosha, 2000) was nominated for the Akutagawa Prize, and her following work "Chūin no Hana" won the same prize in 2001. Her publications include novels such as "Ashura", "Abraxas no Matsuri", "Kachō Sanka", "Amitāba: Muryōkōmyō", "Lila: Kami no Niwa no Yūgi" (all by Shinchosha), "Gokaichō Kidan", "Ryū no Sumu Ie" (both by Bungeishunjū), and "Ashura" (Kodansha). Her essays and books on Buddhism include "Nihonteki", "Mujō to iu Chikara", "Obo-san datte Nayanderu" (Bunshun Shinsho), "Jihi wo Meguru Shinshō Sketch" (Kodansha), "Zen-go Yūshin" (Chikuma Shobo), "Zen-teki Seikatsu", "Shindara Dōnaru no?", "Gendaigo Yaku Hannya Shingyō" (all by Chikuma Shinsyo), "Sōshi to Asobu" (Chikuma Sensho), "Jizō no Kokoro, Nihonjin no Chikara", "Shiki no Kōan" (Kosei Publishing), and a co-authored book "Gendai to Bukkyō: Ima, Bukkyō ga Tou Mono, Towareru Mono" (Kosei Publishing).

Soukyuu Genyuu
Born in 1956 in Fukushima Prefecture. Graduated from the Department of Chinese Literature, Faculty of Letters, Keio University. After various job experiences, he entered the specialist Zen dojo at Tenryuji in Kyoto in 1983. From 1986, he served as the vice abbot of Fukuju-ji in Miharu, Fukushima, and since 2008, he has served as the head priest. Alongside his religious duties, he continues to write, and his debut novel "Ahead of the Water" (Shinchosha) was nominated for the Akutagawa Prize in 2000, and in the following year, 2001, he won the same prize for "Flowers of Chūin." His works include novels such as "Asura," "The Festival of Abraxas," "Scattering Flowers of Transformation," "Amitabha - Infinite Brightness," "Leela - Play in God's Garden" (all published by Shinchosha), "The Treasury Opening Tale," "The House where the Dragon Lives" (both published by Bungeishunju), "Asura" (Kodansha), and essays and Buddhist books such as "Japaneseness," "The Power of Impermanence," "Even Monks Are Worried" (Bunshun Shinsho), "Mind Sketches around Compassion" (Kodansha), "Playing with Zen Words" (Chikuma Shobo), "Zen Life," "What Happens When You Die?" "Modern Translation of the Heart Sutra" (all published by Chikuma Shobo), "Playing with Zhuangzi" (Chikuma Selection), "The Heart of Jizo - The Power of the Japanese," "Four Seasons of Koan" (Kosei Publishing), and co-authored "Modern Times and Buddhism - What Buddhism Asks and Is Asked Now -"

Ryokan Ara
Ryokan Ara, born in 1928 in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan, was ordained as a Buddhist monk at the age of 10. He completed his doctoral program at Taisho University. From 1973, he served as the Chief Priest of the Tendai Sect in Hawaii. His missionary work in Hawaii and the mainland United States, promotion of Japanese culture, and contributions to the friendship between Japan and the U.S. earned him the Minister for Foreign Affairs' Commendation in 2011. His unique Buddhist paintings and life lessons are highly popular both domestically and internationally.

Tsurutaro Kataoka
Tsurutaro Kataoka, born in 1954 in Nishi-Nippori, Tokyo, is a multifaceted artist. He started his career as an actor after graduating high school, apprenticing under Tsuruhachi Kataoka. His debut in Toho Vaudeville and Asakusa Vaudeville led to a wide variety of roles that earned him widespread popularity. He has won numerous awards, including the Japan Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. As an artist, he has demonstrated his talents by winning the "Teshima Ukyo Prize," often referred to as the "Akutagawa Prize of Calligraphy." As a painter, he hosts annual solo exhibitions and won the 10th Teshima Ukyo Prize in 2015. He is also a certified yoga master and is actively involved in the promotion of yoga.

Daigaku Sakai
Daigaku Sakai, a Soto Zen monk and author, was born in 1935 in Gunma Prefecture, Japan. After graduating from the Department of Zen Studies, Faculty of Buddhism, Komazawa University, he served as the head priest of Chotoku-ji, and also has been active as a member of the "Namu's meeting". He won the Gunma Prefecture Literature Award in 1964, the Jomo Literature Award in 1981, and the Jomo Publishing Culture Award in 1983. Recognizing his significant contributions, he received the Japan Social Culture Merit Award in 1999 and the Asahi Haiku Prize in 2008. He is also involved in a wide range of activities domestically and internationally, including serving as an advisor to the Japan-Nepal Friendship Association. His books include "No ni Kataru・Hannya Shingyo" (Kounsha) and "Hannya Shingyo wo Ikiru" (Suishosha).