The Life and Zen Haiku Poetry of Santoka Taneda

“I feel guilty, finding so much joy in another man’s sadness…” —Red Pine, author of Finding Them Gone, translator of The Heart Sutra““William Scott Wilson has unearthed yet another neglected Japanese treasure. Both biography and poems are elegant, inspirational, and brimming with life. Wilson has outdone himself.” —Barry Lancet, award-winning author of Japantown and The Spy Across the Table““In this extraordinary book, William Scott Wilson brings his vast experience as a renowned translator of Japanese literature and religious thought…a must read for all those interested in how traditional Japanese culture endures in modern times.” —Steven Heine, author of Readings of Dogen’s Treasury of the True Dharma Eye“

Sumita Oyama (1899-1994) was born in Okayama Prefecture. He practiced haiku and Zen for over 60 years. He was a prolific writer, publishing many books on the haiku poet Santoka. Oyama was a good friend and benefactor of Santoka, and studied “free” haiku under the poet Ogiwara Seisensui.

William Scott Wilson has published over 20 books that have been translated into more than 20 languages, including The Lone Samurai: The Life of Miyamoto Musashi. His first book, a translation of Hagakure, was featured in the film Ghost Dog by director Jim Jarmusch. He was awarded a Commendation from the Foreign Ministry of Japan in 2005 and inducted into the Order of the Rising sun by the Japanese Emperor in 2015. Wilson lives in Florida.