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Shunmyo Masuno

ますの しゅんみょう

Masuno Shunmyo

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1953-02-28 （Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan）
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese
Religion
Sōtō (Zen Buddhism)
Residence History
Yokohama (birthplace) → Kanagawa

Career

Occupations
Buddhist monk, Garden designer, Garden architect, Landscape architect, Professor
Active Years
1966-
Affiliations
Nihon Zoen Sekkei (Japan Landscape Design Co., Ltd.), Kenkouji (Sōtō temple; head priest), Tama Art University (Professor / Emeritus Professor)
Influenced By
Katsuo Saito, Sōtō Zen tradition

Education

Tamagawa University
Faculty of Agriculture / Department of Agriculture
Year of Graduation: 1975
Country: Japan

Awards

Award of Merit (Special Award)
1994
Organization: University of British Columbia
Result: 受賞
National Merit Award
1995
Work: Nitobe Memorial Garden (renovation)
Organization: Canadian Society of Landscape Architects (CSLA)
Result: 受賞
Japanese Society of Landscape Architecture Award (Design Works)
1997
Category: 設計作品部門
Organization: Japanese Society of Landscape Architects
Result: 受賞
Art Encouragement Prize for New Artists (Art Division)
1999
Category: 美術部門
Organization: Agency for Cultural Affairs (Art Encouragement)
Result: 受賞
Honorary Doctorate (Doctor of Laws)
2005
Organization: University of British Columbia
Result: 授与
Meritorious Service Medal (Canada)
2005
Organization: Government of Canada
Result: 受章
Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany (Cross of Merit, Ribbon)
2006
Organization: Federal Republic of Germany
Result: 受章
A' Design Award (Platinum)
2017
Work: Hofu City Funeral Hall / Pavilia Hill (two works)
Organization: A' Design Award
Result: 受賞（Platinum）
Higashikuninomiya Cultural Prize
2022
Organization: Higashikuninomiya Cultural Prize Committee
Result: 受章

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Zen Gardens: The World of Shunmyo Masuno

2000 Non-fiction (gardening/Zen) 160 pages

Explains the relationship between Zen thought and Japanese gardens, presenting Masuno's gardening philosophy and representative works.

ZenSimplicityCoexistence with nature
Translations
  • Zen Gardens: The Complete Works of Shunmyo Masuno (selected works in English editions)

Zen Practices to Order the Mind (example)

2010 Self-help / Zen 192 pages

Presents accessible Zen practices for daily life, explaining how to order the mind and apply Zen to everyday living (representative of recent works).

Practical ZenSimplifying lifeMental decluttering

Bibliography

  • Zen Gardens: The World of Shunmyo Masuno

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Concise, Zen-influenced prosePractical, oriented toward everyday application
Recurring Motifs
ZenMa (negative space)SimplicityCoexistence with nature

Legacy

As a leading contemporary Japanese garden designer and Zen monk, he has spread the aesthetics of Japanese gardens and Zen internationally. Through teaching, lectures and numerous honors, he has contributed to the global recognition of garden design.

Academic Societies

  • Japanese Society of Landscape Architects

Archives

  • Kenkouji temple archives and related materials

In Popular Culture

  • Frequent appearances on NHK and international media
  • Multiple essays and practical books reaching wide readership

Trivia

  • Awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of British Columbia.
  • Recipient of the Meritorious Service Medal (Canada).
  • Recipient of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany.