William Scott Wilson

William Scott Wilson (born 1944, Nashville, Tennessee) 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." 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.

William Scott Wilson
For other people named William Wilson, see William Wilson (disambiguation).

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 has brought historical Chinese and Japanese thought, philosophy, and tactics to the West in his translations of famous East Asian literature.

Awards

On November 3, 2015 Wilson was inducted into the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette, for "promoting understanding of Japan through the introduction of Japanese Literature in the United States."[1]

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."

Timeline
  • Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Dartmouth College
  • Bachelor of Arts, Japanese Language and Literature, Monterey Institute of Foreign Studies, Monterey, California, USA (Now Monterey Institute of International Studies, a graduate school of Middlebury College)
  • Aichi Prefectural University, Nagoya, Japan (1975–1977) extensive Study of Edo period (1603–1868)
  • Master's Degree in Japanese Language and Literature, University of Washington at Seattle. (1979)

Cultural references

Books
  • The Lone Samurai: The Life of Miyamoto Musashi, Kodansha International (October, 2004) ISBN 4-7700-2942-X
  • ‘’Walking the Kiso Road’’ Shambhala Publications, 2015 ISBN 9781611801255
  • ‘’The Life and Zen Haiku Poetry of Santoka Taneda Tuttle Publishing, 2021 ISBN 9784805316559

Translations
  • ‘’Afoot in Japan’’ by Yasumi Roan. 2015 ISBN 9781535503297
  • Tao Te Ching: A New Translation by Lao Tzu, Shambhala Publications, 2012 ISBN 159030991X
  • The Unencumbered Spirit: Reflections of a Chinese Sage. Kodansha International ISBN 4-7700-3097-5
  • Yojokun: Life Lessons from a Samurai (The Way of the Warrior Series) by Kaibara Ekiken (January 1, 2009) Kodansha International 224 pages ISBN 978-4-7700-3077-1
  • The 36 Secret Strategies of the Martial Arts by Hiroshi Moriya (March, 2008)
  • The Demon's Sermon on the Martial Arts by Issai Chozanshi. Kodansha International (release date: November, 2006) ISBN 4-7700-3018-5
  • The Flowering Spirit: Classic Teachings on the Art of No by Zeami. 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 Munenori (February, 2004)
  • Go Rin no Sho (The Book of Five Rings) by Miyamoto Musashi (01/18/2002)
  • Taiko: An Epic Novel of War and Glory in Feudal Japan by Eiji Yoshikawa (10/27/2000)
  • The Unfettered Mind by Takuan Sōhō (12/01/1987)
  • Budoshinshu: The Warrior's Primer by Daidōji Yuzan (04/01/1984)
  • Hagakure (Hidden by Leaves) by Yamamoto Tsunetomo (03/01/1983)
  • Ideals of the Samurai: Writings of Japanese Warriors (October, 1982)
  • Roots of Wisdom (Saikontan) (1984)

Notes
  1. "Conferral of the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette, upon translator William Scott Wilson" (PDF). Consulate-General of Japan in Miami. Retrieved 2015-12-08.
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