William Scott Wilson
Encyclopedia
William Scott Wilson is known for translating several works of Japanese literature
, mostly those relating to the martial tradition
of that country. He is recognized by The American Literary Translator's Association (ALTA) as "today’s foremost translator of classic Samurai texts." Mr. Wilson is also described as the world's foremost expert on the warrior's philosophy of Bushido. He served as a Consular Specialist for the Consulate General of Japan in Seattle (1980)--Heading the trade section and advising the Consul on political and economic matters.
Wilson received Japan’s Foreign Minister’s Commendation from the Consulate General of Japan in Miami, Masakazu Toshikage on November 15, 2005.
According to the Consulate Press release:
The award is "conferred upon individuals or groups that have rendered especially distinguished service in strengthening the relationship between Japan and other countries. Through his literary works and translations, Mr. Wilson has contributed greatly to increased cultural understanding and friendship between the US and Japan."
"Mr. Wilson is a premier author and translator of samurai literature. He completed his first translation, Hagakure, while living in a farmhouse in Japan....His first original work, The Lone Samurai: The Life of Miyamoto Musashi, was published in 2004. He has done extensive research on Japanese philosophy and Bushido
, the way of the samurai."
According to Florida International University Professor Michael Weissberg, "William Scott Wilson is possibly the most important scholar in the area of Japanese Edo period texts in the last century". Wilson's books have brought historical Chinese and Japanese thought, philosophy, and tactics to the West in a collection of works that make him unparalleled. To be able to say that you have in effect coauthored with the likes of Takuan Soho, Yagyu Muninori, Lao Tzu, and Miyamoto Musashi, enables you to heretofore unseen bragging rights, yet this gentle and humble scholar refers to himself as "only a translator".
Japanese literature
Early works of Japanese literature were heavily influenced by cultural contact with China and Chinese literature, often written in Classical Chinese. Indian literature also had an influence through the diffusion of Buddhism in Japan...
, mostly those relating to the martial tradition
Martial arts
Martial arts are extensive systems of codified practices and traditions of combat, practiced for a variety of reasons, including self-defense, competition, physical health and fitness, as well as mental and spiritual development....
of that country. He is recognized by The American Literary Translator's Association (ALTA) as "today’s foremost translator of classic Samurai texts." Mr. Wilson is also described as the world's foremost expert on the warrior's philosophy of Bushido. He served as a Consular Specialist for the Consulate General of Japan in Seattle (1980)--Heading the trade section and advising the Consul on political and economic matters.
Wilson received Japan’s Foreign Minister’s Commendation from the Consulate General of Japan in Miami, Masakazu Toshikage on November 15, 2005.
According to the Consulate Press release:
The award is "conferred upon individuals or groups that have rendered especially distinguished service in strengthening the relationship between Japan and other countries. Through his literary works and translations, Mr. Wilson has contributed greatly to increased cultural understanding and friendship between the US and Japan."
"Mr. Wilson is a premier author and translator of samurai literature. He completed his first translation, Hagakure, while living in a farmhouse in Japan....His first original work, The Lone Samurai: The Life of Miyamoto Musashi, was published in 2004. He has done extensive research on Japanese philosophy and Bushido
Bushido
, meaning "Way of the Warrior-Knight", is a Japanese word which is used to describe a uniquely Japanese code of conduct and a way of the samurai life, loosely analogous to the concept of chivalry. It originates from the samurai moral code and stresses frugality, loyalty, martial arts mastery, and...
, the way of the samurai."
According to Florida International University Professor Michael Weissberg, "William Scott Wilson is possibly the most important scholar in the area of Japanese Edo period texts in the last century". Wilson's books have brought historical Chinese and Japanese thought, philosophy, and tactics to the West in a collection of works that make him unparalleled. To be able to say that you have in effect coauthored with the likes of Takuan Soho, Yagyu Muninori, Lao Tzu, and Miyamoto Musashi, enables you to heretofore unseen bragging rights, yet this gentle and humble scholar refers to himself as "only a translator".
Curriculum Vitae
- Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Dartmouth CollegeDartmouth CollegeDartmouth College is a private, Ivy League university in Hanover, New Hampshire, United States. The institution comprises a liberal arts college, Dartmouth Medical School, Thayer School of Engineering, and the Tuck School of Business, as well as 19 graduate programs in the arts and sciences...
- Bachelor of Arts, Japanese Language and Literature, Monterey Institute of Foreign Studies, Monterey, California, USA
- Aichi Prefectural University, Nagoya, Japan (1975–1977) extensive Study of Edo periodEdo periodThe , or , is a division of Japanese history which was ruled by the shoguns of the Tokugawa family, running from 1603 to 1868. The political entity of this period was the Tokugawa shogunate....
(1603–1868)
- Master's Degree in Japanese Language and Literature, University of Washington at Seattle. (1979)
Books
- The Lone Samurai: The Life of Miyamoto Musashi (287 pages) Kodansha International (October, 2004) ISBN 4-7700-2942-X
Translated Works
- The Unencumbered Spirit: Reflections of a Chinese Sage. Kodansha International 224 pages ISBN 4770030975
- Yojokun: Life Lessons from a Samurai (The Way of the Warrior Series) by Kaibara Ekiken and William Scott Wilson (Jan 1, 2009) Kodansha International 224 pages ISBN 978-4770030771
- The 36 Secret Strategies of the Martial Arts by Hiroshi Moriya with translation and foreword by William Scott Wilson (March, 2008)
- The Demon's Sermon on the Martial Arts by Issai Chozanshi, Translated by William Scott Wilson (224 pages) Kodansha International, (release date: November, 2006) ISBN 4-7700-3018-5
- The Flowering Spirit : Classic Teachings on the Art of No (Hardcover)],by Zeami (160 pages) Kodansha (release date: May 19, 2006) ISBN 4-7700-2499-1
- The Life-Giving Sword: Secret Teachings from the House of the Shogun (The Living Sword) by Yagyu MunenoriYagyu Munenoriwas a Japanese swordsman, founder of the Edo branch of Yagyū Shinkage-ryū, which he learned from his father Yagyū "Sekishusai" Muneyoshi. This was one of two official sword styles patronized by the Tokugawa Shogunate...
(February, 2004) - Go Rin no Sho (The Book of Five Rings) by Miyamoto MusashiMiyamoto Musashi, also known as Shinmen Takezō, Miyamoto Bennosuke or, by his Buddhist name, Niten Dōraku, was a Japanese swordsman and rōnin. Musashi, as he was often simply known, became renowned through stories of his excellent swordsmanship in numerous duels, even from a very young age...
(01/18/2002) - Taiko: An Epic Novel of War and Glory in Feudal Japan by Eiji YoshikawaEiji Yoshikawawas a Japanese historical novelist, probably one of the best and most famous authors in the genre. Among his most well-known novels, most are revisions of past works. He was mainly influenced by classics such as The Tale of the Heike, Tale of Genji, Outlaws of the Marsh, and Romance of the Three...
(10/27/2000) - The Unfettered MindThe Unfettered Mindis a three-part treatise on Buddhist philosophy and martial arts written by Takuan Sōhō, a Japanese monk of the Rinzai sect. The title translates roughly to "The Mysterious Records of Immovable Wisdom". The treatise was written as correspondence to Yagyū Munenori, inheritor to the Yagyū...
by Takuan SōhōTakuan Sohowas a major figure in the Rinzai school of Zen Buddhism.Takuan Sōhō was born into a family of farmers in the town of Izushi, located in what was at that time called Tajima province . At the age of 8 in 1581 young Takuan began his religious studies and 2 years later he entered a Buddhist monastery...
(12/01/1987) - Budoshinshu: The Warrior's Primer by Daidōji YuzanDaidoji Yuzanwas a samurai and military strategist of Edo period Japan. He was born in Fushimi in Yamashiro Province . Among the works he wrote in his late years was the widely circulated , an introduction to bushidō that was influential among middle- and lower-class samurai...
(04/01/1984) - HagakureHagakureHagakure , or is a practical and spiritual guide for a warrior, drawn from a collection of commentaries by the samurai Yamamoto Tsunetomo, former retainer to Nabeshima Mitsushige, the third ruler of what is now the Saga prefecture in Japan...
(Hidden in the Leaves, among other common translations) by Yamamoto TsunetomoYamamoto Tsunetomo, also read Yamamoto Jōchō was a samurai of the Saga Domain in Hizen Province under his lord Nabeshima Mitsushige. For thirty years Yamamoto devoted his life to the service of his lord and clan...
(03/01/1983) - Ideals of the Samurai: Writings of Japanese Warriors (October, 1982)
- Roots of Wisdom (Saikontan)(1984)
Films
Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai (1999), Jim Jarmusch film prominently features excerpts from The Hagakure.External links
- William Scott Wilson's homepage
- Author Interview Answered questions on Japanese culture
- Honored by the Consulate General of Japan, November, 2005
- Miami Herald Biography, November 20, 2005
- Bushido Interview
- University of Washington
- Asia Times Book Review of "The 36 Secret Strategies of the Martial Arts" March 15, 2008
- Publisher's Weekly Interview Revisits an Ancient Culture (6/12/2004)