Musō Soseki (1275–1351), born ten years after Dante, became the most famous Zen monk of his time. He advised and taught several emperors, as well as more than thirteen thousand students. In his old age, Musō withdrew from court to devote himself to Buddha and to cultivate the Zen gardens for which he is remembered. At his death, he left behind an enormous body of poetry and prose. In honor of his profound influence on Japanese culture, he was renamed Musō Kokushi, “national Zen teacher,” by Emperor Go-Daigo.
WORKS THAT HAVE APPEARED IN NARRATIVE:
- Snow Valley, poetry, in Poems of the Week: 2020–2021
- All on My Own I’m Happy, poetry, in Poems of the Week: 2012–2013