"Zen and Japanese Culture" is one of the twentieth century's leading works on Zen, and a valuable source for those wishing to understand its concepts in the context of Japanese life and art. In simple, often poetic, language, Daisetz Suzuki describes his conception of Zen and its historical evolution. He connects Zen to the philosophy of the samurai, and subtly portrays the relationship between Zen and swordsmanship, haiku, tea ceremonies, and the Japanese love of nature. Suzuki's contemplative work is enhanced by anecdotes, poetry, and illustrations showing silk screens, calligraphy, and examples of architecture. Since its original publication in 1938, this important work has played a major role in shaping conceptions of Zen's influence on Japanese traditional arts. Richard Jaffe's introduction acquaints a new generation of readers with Suzuki's life and career in both Japan and America. Jaffe discusses how "Zen and Japanese Culture" was received upon its first publication and analyzes the book in light of contemporary criticism, especially by scholars of Japanese Buddhism.

铃木大拙于明治三年（1870）出生在日本石川县金泽市。本名铃木贞太郎，大拙是他的居士号。年轻时曾随今北洪川与释宗演两位禅师学禅。1897年留美，凡十一年。回国后历任学习院教授，东京帝国大学讲师，大谷大学教授，并开创“东方佛教协会”。1911年与美国人贝特蕾丝.雷恩结婚。后曾被授予哥伦比亚大学客座教授并夏威夷大学法学名誉博士称号。他曾三次参加世界东西哲学家大会，在美、英各大学讲授《禅与日本文化》等课程。1949年获日本政府颁发的文化勋章，1964年九十四岁时荣获泰戈尔奖。1966年7月10日（享年九十五岁）逝世于东京圣路加医院。

铃木大拙一生著作甚丰，日文著作有《大乘佛教概论》、《禅论三卷》等数十部，1927年另以英文刊行《禅论文集第一卷》，此后陆续刊行英文本禅学著作数十部。他凭着流利晓畅的英文功底及对禅佛学的透悟，极力向西方介绍大乘佛教尤其是禅宗，使欧美思想界第一次真正认识到东方思想的精髓，对世界思想影响颇深。铃木大拙因此被称为“世界第一禅者”和“东方的圣人”。