Santoka Taneda is a fascinating figure who bridged ancient and modern Zen traditions in Japan at the beginning of the 20th century. He lived much of his life as a wandering hermit, taking to the road, visiting pilgrimage spots, begging, and composing haiku. He wrote, “Days I don’t enjoy: Any day I don’t walk, drink sake, and compose haiku.”
His haiku whittle down each moment to the observed bare essentials, witnessing the splendor in each mundane moment as it is.
