PETER HASKEL received a PhD in East Asian Studies from Columbia University. He is the translator of Bankei Zen: Translations from the Record of Bankei, Great Fool: Zen Master Ryôkan--Letters and Other Writings, Letting Go: The Story of Zen Master Tôsui, and Sword of Zen: Master Takuan and His Writings on Immovable Wisdom and the Sword Taia.